Sen. Angus McKelvey

Maddy summaryThis bill requests the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands to expand and strengthen programs focused on financial literacy, credit readiness, and homeownership preparedness for Native Hawaiian beneficiaries. The resolution asks the department to partner with financial educators, credit counselors, and lenders to provide pre-award education, post-award support, culturally responsive materials, and to explore additional funding sources. The department is also required to submit a detailed report to the Legislature by early 2027 outlining program improvements, participant numbers, and measurable outcomes related to lease stability and credit improvement.

Maddy summaryThis bill urges the Hawaii Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism to submit an annual report on the Hawaii Genuine Progress Indicator (HI GPI) to the state Legislature, starting with the 2027 session. The HI GPI is a measurement tool that evaluates economic, social, and environmental well-being beyond traditional metrics like GDP. The report must be delivered at least 30 days before each legislative session and include detailed findings on trends, methodology, and policy implications related to the state's overall progress. The bill requires the department to make the report publicly available online and send copies to relevant legislative committee chairs.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Concurrent Resolution asks the Governor's Senior Advisor for Mental Health and the Justice System to create a plan for increasing access to the Hawaii State Hospital for mentally ill criminal defendants and individuals recently released from the facility who are at risk of reoffending. The bill is non-binding and does not authorize funding or change laws; instead, it directs the Senior Advisor to coordinate with relevant state agencies to develop placement options for these individuals. The resolution requires a report with findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, to be submitted to the Legislature by early 2027. This measure addresses concerns about the hospital reaching capacity and the lack of suitable placements for people under civil commitment or those transitioning out of the mental health system.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Concurrent Resolution requests the Hawaii Department of the Attorney General to form a working group focused on technology-facilitated abuse affecting youth and vulnerable populations in the state. The group will include representatives from state agencies, domestic violence organizations, and youth commissions to examine issues like digital stalking, spyware use, and nonconsensual image distribution. The working group will assess current laws, evaluate platform safety practices, and develop recommendations for regulatory safeguards and policy changes to protect residents from online abuse. The group is required to submit a report with findings and proposed legislative actions to the Legislature before the 2027 session begins.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution urges the Public Utilities Commission to hold at least two public community meetings before approving major energy projects that would be located in affected communities. The bill defines major energy projects as those with a capital cost of $10 million or more, including solar farms, wind facilities, battery storage, and grid modernization. While the resolution does not create new legal requirements, it formally requests the commission to engage with local residents and stakeholders to gather input on these infrastructure developments. The measure aims to ensure communities have a voice in energy decisions that impact their neighborhoods and to address concerns about equitable distribution of energy project benefits.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution asks the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity and the Department of Law Enforcement to strengthen penalties and enforcement actions against dog attacks on livestock. It directly affects farmers and ranchers who raise animals in Hawaii, aiming to address financial losses from uncontrolled dogs harming their herds. The resolution does not change laws directly but formally requests state agencies to review and enhance their existing measures for protecting livestock from dog attacks. It highlights the economic importance of livestock production and the severe impacts of dog attacks on producers. The document is a formal request rather than a law, so it has no immediate legal effect pending agency response.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution requests the Hawaii State Department of Education to fulfill its contractual obligations to doctoral-level educational psychology trainees by creating and funding appropriate positions. The bill asks the department to report on the number of stipend recipients, existing positions, and how current job titles like "Mental Health Interventionist" align with the specialized training these professionals received. It further directs the department to evaluate whether current classifications properly reflect doctoral-level qualifications and to identify necessary funding to expand positions statewide. Ultimately, the resolution seeks to ensure that professionals who completed multi-year service commitments are placed in roles consistent with their training and the original agreement.

Maddy summaryThis bill requests the Legislative Reference Bureau to study whether Hawaii should replace its appointed Chief Election Officer with a Secretary of State elected by voters to oversee elections. The study will examine current laws governing election administration and outline the legal steps needed to make such a change. It compares Hawaii's current system with other states, noting that 33 states elect their chief election officials while 47 have a Secretary of State position. The Legislative Reference Bureau must submit its findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, to lawmakers before the 2027 regular session begins.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Concurrent Resolution asks the Hawaii Department of Education to provide free school meals to all enrolled students, regardless of their family's income or eligibility for federal meal programs, starting in the 2029-2030 school year. The bill does not authorize funding or mandate implementation but serves as a formal request to the state education agency to consider universal free meals as a policy option. It builds on existing state legislation that has already expanded free meal eligibility to certain income groups in recent years. The resolution aims to address food insecurity among students by ensuring consistent access to nutritious meals across all schools in the state.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Concurrent Resolution urges the Hawaii Public Utilities Commission to hold at least two public community meetings before approving major energy projects that would be built in affected communities. The bill defines major energy projects as those costing $10 million or more, including solar farms, wind facilities, battery storage, and other infrastructure. While the resolution does not change law, it formally requests the commission to gather community input to address concerns about energy equity and ensure local residents have a voice in decisions that impact their neighborhoods. The measure aims to promote transparency and reduce conflicts that could delay construction of clean energy projects.