Sen. Tim Richards

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution (SR 56) requests the Office of Wellness and Resilience to prepare a report addressing developmental needs of children born during the 2019-2025 pandemic. The report must analyze trauma-informed care, existing support services (including for wildfire-affected areas), and resources for educators, with a focus on vulnerable groups like Native Hawaiian and rural communities. It requires the office to submit the report by December 31, 2026, including recommendations for future action. As a procedural resolution, it does not create new law but directs an assessment of existing challenges.

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.

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution urges the Stadium Authority to finalize a contract for constructing a new Aloha Stadium in Halawa and to advance development of the adjacent New Aloha Stadium Entertainment District. It notes the project has completed environmental reviews, selected a developer (Aloha Halawa District Partners), and aims to create jobs while integrating housing, retail, and event spaces. The resolution emphasizes the stadium’s role in supporting University of Hawaii athletics, attracting tourism, and aligning with community development goals.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution (SR 73) requests the Agribusiness Development Corporation (ADC) to assume responsibility for the routine maintenance and repairs of the Kohala Ditch, a 26-mile irrigation system critical to North Kohala farmers. The ditch, damaged by a 2021 rockslide, supplies over 5 million gallons of water daily to local farms; without it, farmers face 10x higher water costs, forcing many to reduce or stop operations. The resolution urges the ADC to develop a community-informed maintenance plan and submit annual reports on repairs and infrastructure conditions. As a procedural resolution (not a law), it does not mandate action but formally asks the ADC to take on this role to support agricultural stability.

Requires certain managing agents to notify each unit owner and the Real Estate Commission when a condominium association that the agent manages fails to meet budget and replacement reserves reporting requirements. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution requests Maui County to hire a full-time archaeologist to guide historic preservation efforts during Lahaina’s rebuilding after the 2023 wildfires. The archaeologist would work with county and rebuilding teams to protect cultural sites, implement federal/state preservation laws, and maintain Lahaina’s historical identity. The resolution is non-binding but aims to ensure cultural heritage is preserved as part of community recovery. It directly affects Maui County’s rebuilding process and Lahaina’s historical sites.

Maddy summaryThis non-binding Senate Resolution (SR 46) requests Hawaii's Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism to evaluate the potential cost-benefit of sponsoring a Michelin Guide for the state's restaurants. It aims to assess whether such a sponsorship could boost culinary tourism, attract skilled workforce talent (as noted in a 2022 tourism report), and elevate restaurant standards. The resolution does not mandate sponsorship but asks the department to review feasibility and return on investment. It directly affects Hawaii's restaurant industry and tourism promotion efforts, though no concrete policy change is enacted by the resolution itself.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution (SR 45) urges the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation (HHFDC) to create a plan for producing enough housing to meet statewide demand. It highlights Hawaii's severe housing shortage, noting the state builds far fewer units annually (2,902) than needed, with critical gaps in housing for middle- and upper-income households (120%+ of area median income). The resolution requests HHFDC submit its plan to the Legislature by January 2026, emphasizing the need to address housing as a key factor in retaining residents and workers. As a procedural resolution, it does not enact new law but directs agency action.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution (SR 25) encourages all Hawaii counties to develop their own localized biosecurity plans to address invasive species threats. It specifically urges counties to prioritize their unique needs - based on local climate, agriculture, and infrastructure - while collaborating with state agencies like the Department of Agriculture and the Hawaii Invasive Species Council. The resolution does not create new legal requirements but promotes coordinated, county-driven strategies to protect ecosystems, agriculture, and public health from invasive species. It applies directly to all 5 Hawaii counties (Honolulu, Hawaii, Kauai, Maui, and Molokai).

Maddy summarySenate Resolution 163 requests the University of Hawaii to study establishing an Alzheimer's Disease Research Center. It directs the university to assess its current research capabilities, evaluate benefits for Hawaii residents, and identify requirements to secure federal funding from the National Institute on Aging. The resolution requires the university to develop a phased plan with a timeline and submit a report by December 31, 2025. This resolution directly affects the University of Hawaii and aims to explore potential research opportunities for Alzheimer's disease, particularly considering Hawaii's unique demographic composition.