Sen. Tim Richards

Makes it an unfair or deceptive act or practice for businesses to: offer, display, or advertise the price of live-ticket events or short-term lodging without clearly and conspicuously disclosing the total price; and misrepresent any fees or charges in any offer, display, or advertisement for the sale of live-event tickets or short-term lodging. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Maddy summaryThis resolution requests the State Auditor to conduct a performance audit of the University of Hawaii Foundation. The foundation manages over 7,000 donor accounts and handles more than $660 million in funds raised for the University of Hawaii System. The audit aims to evaluate how effectively the foundation uses these funds to support students and faculty, ensuring transparency and accountability in its management.

Maddy summarySCR 61 is a Senate resolution requesting Hawaii's Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism to evaluate the cost-benefit and return on investment of sponsoring a Michelin Guide for the state's restaurants. It asks the department to assess whether such a sponsorship would improve Hawaii's culinary tourism, attract skilled restaurant workers, and elevate local dining standards. The resolution does not require the state to actually sponsor the guide, only to study the feasibility and potential benefits. This request follows Hawaii's growing reputation as a food destination but notes Michelin inspectors currently do not visit the state.

Maddy summarySCR 75 is a Senate Concurrent Resolution requesting Maui County to hire one full-time archaeologist to guide historic preservation efforts during Lahaina's rebuilding after the 2023 wildfires. The resolution specifically addresses the absence of archaeological oversight in current rebuilding plans and asks the County to employ this role to preserve cultural landmarks and comply with preservation mandates. The archaeologist would collaborate with rebuilding entities to protect Lahaina’s irreplaceable heritage sites, including centuries-old structures destroyed in the fires. This resolution is a non-binding request, not a law, directed solely at Maui County’s planning process.

Maddy summarySCR 92 is a resolution requesting the Office of Hawaiian Affairs (OHA) to establish and host educational forums for the Native Hawaiian community about how the legislative process works. These forums would cover topics like drafting bills, submitting testimony, and participating in committee hearings, using in-person workshops, virtual sessions, and community outreach. OHA must also provide an annual report to the legislature detailing the forums' activities, participation rates, and outcomes. This resolution does not create new law but directs OHA - a state agency responsible for Native Hawaiian programs - to enhance community engagement through structured educational opportunities.

Maddy summaryThis concurrent resolution (SCR 168) requests the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands (DHHL) to develop a pilot project in Hawaii's Kohala region demonstrating the area's capacity to access drinkable water for a potential potable water system. It asks DHHL to create a pilot project showing how the region's geography could support a water pump storage hydroelectric facility, which would provide drinkable water, irrigation water, and renewable energy. DHHL must submit a report with findings and recommendations, including any needed legislation, to the legislature by early 2026. This resolution does not require DHHL to act but formally requests their study and planning.

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 71) requests Hawaii's Department of Agriculture to create a pilot program testing microbial algae-based soil products on eligible farms. The program would target small-to-medium organic farms (10-100 acres) experiencing soil health issues or excessive fertilizer use, aiming to improve soil fertility and reduce chemical dependency. The Department must collaborate with the University of Hawaii's College of Tropical Agriculture and report findings to the Legislature by late 2025. This resolution does not create new law but formally asks the Department to initiate the pilot and assess its potential for broader agricultural use.

Maddy summarySenate Resolution 113 (SR 113) urges Hawaii's Department of Education (DOE) to submit a detailed report to the legislature on the true costs of producing school meals. The resolution requires the DOE to provide itemized cost breakdowns - including ingredient sourcing, operational expenses, beverage costs, and distribution logistics - for the 2024-2025 and projected 2025-2026/2026-2027 school years. It also mandates data on meal types (full-price, reduced-price, free) and total costs to ensure transparency around proposed price increases (e.g., from $2.50 to $4.75 per meal). The report must be submitted 20 days before Hawaii's 2026 legislative session. This resolution does not change meal prices but seeks factual data to inform future decisions.