Sen. Tim Richards

Maddy summarySenate Resolution 77 urges the Hawaii Department of Agriculture and Maui County Department of Agriculture to address axis deer overpopulation by making USDA-certified meat processing more accessible and affordable for local hunters. It directs these agencies to form a task force to develop a program for distributing locally-hunted venison to the community, with a report due by November 30, 2025. The resolution focuses on reducing barriers to processing deer meat (venison) through improved access to USDA inspections and certified facilities.

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 summaryThis Senate Resolution urges Hawaii's state boards and commissions to conduct annual performance reviews of their Executive Directors (or equivalent roles exempt from civil service law). The reviews would assess how well these leaders meet state goals and statutory mandates, though the resolution itself is non-binding. It applies specifically to boards/commissions with exempt leadership positions, not to all state employees. The measure is procedural and does not create new legal requirements.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution (SR 75) requests the Office of Hawaiian Affairs (OHA) to establish educational forums for the Native Hawaiian community about how the legislative process works. The forums would cover topics like drafting bills, submitting testimony, and attending committee hearings, using in-person workshops, virtual sessions, and community outreach. OHA must report annually to the Legislature on these forums' activities, participation, and effectiveness. The resolution does not create new law but asks OHA - a state agency focused on Native Hawaiian well-being - to enhance community engagement with the legislative system.

Maddy summarySenate Resolution 137 requests the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands (DHHL) to develop and implement a pilot project in the Kohala region to demonstrate the feasibility of a drinking water system. The project would test how the area can access and manage water for drinking and irrigation, supporting broader water access and renewable energy goals. DHHL must submit a report of its findings and any recommended legislation to the Legislature by December 2025. This resolution directs an agency to study a water access plan but does not create new law.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution (SR 115) requests the Hawaii State Energy Office to convene a Geothermal Energy Working Group. The group would evaluate Hawaii's current rules and policies affecting geothermal energy development, particularly to address regulatory barriers and permit challenges. The working group would include state agency leaders, county representatives, industry stakeholders, and community advocates. This resolution does not create new laws but aims to coordinate a review process to support Hawaii's renewable energy goals. It directly affects state agencies, local governments, and geothermal developers by initiating a structured evaluation of the policy environment.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution (SR 114) urges all Hawaii state departments to establish secure data-sharing agreements with the Office of Wellness and Resilience (OWR). It does not create new laws but requests departments partner with OWR to share deidentified, aggregated data - breaking down current silos - to better analyze community needs through OWR’s existing Quality of Life and Well-Being Dashboard. The resolution emphasizes protecting resident privacy while enabling cross-departmental data integration for evidence-based programs addressing social determinants of health. It directly affects state departments by asking them to collaborate on data-sharing protocols, as mandated by Act 291 (HRS Chapter 27).

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution (SR 17) is a symbolic statement from Hawaii's legislature, not a binding law. It endorses Taiwan's participation as an observer in key international organizations including the World Health Organization (WHO), International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), and United Nations climate talks. The resolution also supports negotiations for a U.S.-Taiwan bilateral trade agreement under the existing U.S.-Taiwan Initiative on 21st Century Trade and commemorates Hawaii's 32-year sister-state relationship with Taiwan. It does not create new policies or affect any specific groups directly but formally expresses Hawaii's support for deeper U.S.-Taiwan economic ties and international cooperation.

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 53) requests Hawaii's State Health Planning and Development Agency to form a Pharmacy Benefit Manager (PBM) Working Group. The group, including pharmacy associations, insurers, and state agencies, will evaluate PBM practices to improve transparency, lower drug costs for patients, and increase healthcare access. It will specifically examine issues like fair pharmacy reimbursements, PBM reporting requirements, and practices that restrict patient access. The Working Group must submit recommendations to the Legislature by early 2026. This resolution does not change laws but seeks to identify policy reforms for future legislation.