Sen. Dru Kanuha

Maddy summaryThis Senate Concurrent Resolution (SCR 119) requests the Department of Land and Natural Resources to form a Kailua Bay Advisory Working Group. The group would bring together state, county, and community stakeholders to address ongoing challenges at Kailua Pier - including vandalism, homelessness, safety concerns, and environmental issues - while supporting the pier's cultural, economic, and recreational uses. The working group would meet monthly to coordinate solutions, recommend operational improvements, and ensure community input informs management decisions for the benefit of residents, businesses, and visitors.

Maddy summarySCR 120 is a procedural resolution requesting Hawaii's Auditor to assess the social and financial impacts of mandating health insurance coverage for continuous glucose monitors (CGMs). It specifically directs the Auditor to evaluate House Bill 820, which proposes requiring insurers to cover CGMs - a device providing real-time blood sugar monitoring - under Hawaii Revised Statutes §23-51. The resolution requires the Auditor to analyze effects on target groups (like the 108,600 adults with diabetes in Hawaii), coverage scope, and costs to insurers and patients. The resulting report, due before the 2026 legislative session, will inform whether HB 820 should proceed. This resolution itself does not change coverage but mandates a required assessment before the proposed mandate can be considered.

Establishes the Illegal Fireworks Enforcement Division within the Department of Law Enforcement. Appropriates funds. Sunsets 6/30/2028. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Proposes an amendment to the Hawaii State Constitution to extend the amount of time allowed the Senate to consider and act on the appointments of justices and judges from thirty to sixty days for appointments made between April 1 and December 31 when the Senate is not in Regular Session or is about to adjourn the Regular Session.

Maddy summarySenate Resolution 98 urges Hawaii's Department of Education to collaborate with the Department of Transportation, Safe Routes to School Advisory Committee, and the County of Hawaii to assess safety at school bus stops on Hawaii Island. The resolution requests a detailed inventory focusing on specific infrastructure factors like sidewalks, lighting, traffic patterns, and hazards, to identify improvements needed for children traveling to school. It requires a report with prioritized safety recommendations to be submitted to the Legislature before the 2026 session. This non-binding resolution directly affects students relying on school transportation in Hawaii Island communities, particularly in rural or underserved areas.

Maddy summarySenate Resolution 35 requests the Legislative Reference Bureau to partner with the Hawaii State Public Library System to identify rural and underserved communities (particularly on neighbor islands and rural Oahu) lacking telecommunication access for participating in state legislative meetings. It directs them to develop an outreach program using public library resources - such as free internet, videoconferencing, and devices like Chromebooks - to help residents engage remotely, reducing travel costs and barriers. The resolution requires a report to the Legislature by 2026 detailing findings and recommendations for improving public access. This procedural resolution focuses on infrastructure collaboration, not policy changes, to enhance civic participation.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution (SR 99) requests Hawaii's Department of Health to form a working group to study whether business owners could legally use filtered water collected from rainwater catchment systems for business purposes. Currently, state law permits captured rainwater only for personal household use, not business activities, despite its potential to reduce strain on aquifers during water shortages. The working group, composed of health officials, legislators, county water representatives, and public members, must assess feasibility, recommend testing protocols, and suggest compliance strategies, with a report due to the Legislature by 2027. This resolution does not change existing law but seeks to evaluate a potential policy adjustment.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution (SR 159) urges Hawaii's Department of Agriculture to work with the Agribusiness Development Corporation to identify and access U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) grant opportunities. It does not create new laws or funding but encourages coordination between state agencies to help local farmers, ranchers, and agricultural organizations secure USDA grants. The goal is to support Hawaii's agricultural sustainability goals, including increasing local food production by 2030 as outlined in the Hawaii 2050 Sustainability Plan. The resolution is a procedural request, not a binding mandate, directed at state agencies to collaborate on existing federal grant programs.

Maddy summarySenate Resolution 12 requests Hawaii's Department of Health to convene a task force to establish minimum standards for community health worker training programs. The task force must include representatives from each county, community health organizations, educational institutions, and healthcare agencies. It is required to submit a report with recommendations to the Legislature by the end of 2025, without creating new law. This resolution focuses on improving training consistency for community health workers who support underserved populations in navigating healthcare systems.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution (SR 36) requests Hawaii's Department of Land and Natural Resources to create a Desalination Planning Task Force to study whether large-scale desalination (removing salt from seawater to produce fresh water) is feasible for the state. The task force, including state agency leaders and county water officials, will examine water demand, environmental impacts (like energy use and brine disposal), cultural considerations (including Native Hawaiian sites), and how desalination might help meet future water needs amid Hawaii's freshwater crisis. The resolution does not mandate desalination but asks for a report by 2026 to inform future decisions. This study directly affects Hawaii's water management systems, agriculture, tourism, and communities facing water scarcity.