Sen. Angus McKelvey

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution 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 bill directs the department to partner with financial educators, credit counselors, and community organizations to provide pre-award education, post-award support, and culturally responsive materials. Additionally, the resolution asks the department to identify funding opportunities and submit a detailed report to the Legislature by early 2027 outlining program improvements, participant numbers, and measurable outcomes related to lease stability and homeownership readiness.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution asks Hawaii's Department of the Attorney General to create a working group focused on technology-facilitated abuse affecting youth and young adults. The group will include representatives from state agencies, domestic violence organizations, and youth commissions to study issues like digital stalking, spyware, and nonconsensual image sharing. The working group will assess current laws, evaluate platform safety practices, and review solutions from other states before submitting recommendations to the Legislature by early 2027. This resolution does not create new laws but establishes a committee to study the problem and propose future policy changes.

Maddy summaryThis bill requests the Department of Law Enforcement to expand an existing Agricultural Enforcement Pilot Program from the islands of Hawaii and Oahu to include Kauai and Maui. The program aims to address rising agricultural crimes such as trespassing, theft, vandalism, and illegal hunting by providing dedicated enforcement resources to protect farmers and food security. It does not create new laws but asks state agencies to extend a current pilot initiative to two additional islands where enforcement gaps currently exist.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution asks the Governor of Hawaii to establish a clear line of succession for the Chief Election Officer position, ensuring there is always someone authorized to manage state elections. If the Chief Election Officer role becomes vacant, the resolution directs the Governor to appoint an acting officer from within the Office of Elections, starting with the supervisor of election support services and moving down a specific list of other supervisors if needed. This measure aims to prevent election administration disruptions and maintain public trust by guaranteeing that election results can be compiled and certified without legal ambiguity. The request applies to all state elections and affects the Office of Elections staff who would serve in these temporary leadership roles.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution requests the Hawaii Departments of Health, Human Services, and Education to create a coordinated plan to address fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD), which affect approximately 840 babies born in the state each year. The plan would explore establishing a statewide FASD coordinator, strategies for accessing federal funding, and methods to improve awareness and training for healthcare providers and educators. The resolution outlines specific goals including reducing foster care and criminal justice involvement, lowering economic barriers to early intervention, and improving overall quality of life for affected individuals and families. Departments are asked to submit their findings and recommendations to the Legislature by December 15, 2026.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution asks the Office of Planning and Sustainable Development to work with several agencies to evaluate how much infrastructure capacity exists around transit-oriented development areas in Honolulu. The assessment will focus specifically on sewer and water systems to determine if they can handle future growth in these neighborhoods. This study aims to identify necessary upgrades and investments before new construction projects proceed in these designated zones. The resolution directs the findings to be shared with multiple city and state officials responsible for planning and development.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Concurrent Resolution asks health maintenance organizations in Hawaii to follow the state's Clean Claims Statute, which requires them to pay uncontested health care claims within 30 days or 15 days for electronic submissions. The resolution highlights that delayed payments can harm medical practices and patients, particularly in rural and underserved areas, and notes that current enforcement by the Insurance Division appears inconsistent. It requests that HMOs be held accountable for timely reimbursements and directs copies of the resolution to state officials including the Insurance Commissioner and Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Concurrent Resolution requests three Hawaii state agencies - the Department of Health, Department of Human Services, and Department of Education - to create a coordinated plan to address fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD). The plan would explore establishing a statewide FASD coordinator, strategies for accessing federal funding, and methods to improve awareness, training, and support for affected individuals and families. Agencies are asked to submit their findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, to the Legislature by December 15, 2026.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution requests the creation of a working group to study staffing shortages and security challenges at Hawaii state courts. The group would examine how the Department of Law Enforcement has expanded duties without matching increases in Deputy Sheriff positions, leading to reliance on private security contractors. The working group would include leaders from the judiciary, law enforcement, human resources, finance, and the attorney general to evaluate solutions for stabilizing public security staffing and reducing long-term costs of private contracts.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution asks Hawaii's Department of Education to offer free school meals to all students in state schools, regardless of their family's income or current eligibility for federal meal programs. The request specifically targets implementation starting in the 2029-2030 school year, building upon previous expansions that began in 2025-2026. The resolution does not authorize funding or mandate the program but serves as a formal request to the state education department to consider this universal meal provision. It is based on the premise that consistent access to nutritious food supports student health and academic performance.