Sen. Angus McKelvey

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 42 urges all Hawaii counties to install at least one wheelchair-accessible swing and other basic accessible playground equipment in every county park playground, while requiring counties to create detailed maintenance plans. These plans must include weekly inspections, regular cleaning, safety surfacing upkeep, emergency repair protocols, and community engagement to ensure long-term safety and accessibility. The resolution specifically references compliance with federal ADA accessibility standards for equipment and mandates counties to develop these plans for all public playgrounds. As a non-binding resolution, it does not impose legal requirements but encourages counties to adopt these practices to make play spaces inclusive for children with disabilities.

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 99) requests Hawaii's Department of Health to form a working group to study whether business owners could legally use filtered water collected from rainwater catchment systems for business purposes. Currently, state law permits captured rainwater only for personal household use, not business activities, despite its potential to reduce strain on aquifers during water shortages. The working group, composed of health officials, legislators, county water representatives, and public members, must assess feasibility, recommend testing protocols, and suggest compliance strategies, with a report due to the Legislature by 2027. This resolution does not change existing law but seeks to evaluate a potential policy adjustment.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution (SR 6) urges Hawaii's State Health Planning and Development Agency to create a working group focused on reducing delays caused by insurance prior authorization requirements. The group would include 15 members representing insurers, healthcare providers, consumers, and employers, plus agency officials, to study specific practices like 24-hour response times for urgent care and longer validity periods for medications. It requires the group to examine how prior authorization impacts timely care and propose solutions, including potential policy changes. The working group must submit its recommendations to the Legislature by early 2026. This resolution does not change laws but seeks to inform future legislative action on insurance approval processes.

Maddy summaryThis resolution (SR 8) recognizes April 21-28, 2025, as International Dark Sky Week in Hawaii. It requests residents to support dark sky preservation and directs the Board of Land and Natural Resources to create a task force. The task force, including state officials, astronomers, tourism representatives, and federal agencies, will study light pollution reduction, energy conservation, wildlife protection, and strategies like dark sky parks. It does not create new laws but aims to guide future policy on preserving Hawaii’s natural night skies.

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 summaryThis is a Hawaii Senate resolution (SR 41), not a legislative bill. It urges the U.S. Congress to establish a national reinsurance program to address insurance market instability caused by frequent, severe natural disasters like hurricanes and wildfires. The resolution recommends the program operate as a public-private partnership with defined loss thresholds and state opt-in options, aiming to stabilize insurance availability and affordability without replacing private insurers. It does not create new law but calls for Congress to act on this proposal.

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 132) requests Hawaii's counties to adopt flexible setback rules or create variance processes specifically for state-owned buildings and facilities. It aims to allow state projects to better utilize public land by adjusting standard minimum distance requirements between structures and property lines. The resolution does not change existing laws but asks counties to modify their planning rules to improve land use efficiency and public service delivery for state projects. It targets counties including Honolulu, Kauai, Maui, and Hawaii.