Sen. Angus McKelvey

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 requests the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations to study creating a Hawaii Workforce Excellence Award Program, modeled after France's Meilleur Ouvrier de France award. The study would examine how to recognize craftspersons in key trades (like carpentry, culinary arts, and floristry), including cost-effective implementation and industry input, and report findings to the Legislature by early 2026. It does not create the award program but seeks a feasibility assessment.

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 78 requests Maui County to study implementing a universal basic income (UBI) program for residents and business owners affected by the 2023 Maui wildfires. The resolution asks the county to evaluate feasibility - including eligibility, funding sources, and economic impact - based on models like Tennessee’s My People Fund, which provided direct cash payments after wildfires. Maui County must submit a report with findings and recommendations by late 2025. This resolution does not fund or enact a UBI program, only directing a study on its potential.

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.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution (SR 23) urges Maui County's Planning Department to retain the word "require" in the South Maui Community Plan regarding infrastructure. It specifically addresses concerns that removing "require" could allow new development to proceed without adequate roads, utilities, or public services. The resolution emphasizes that infrastructure must be completed before development occupancy to prevent overdevelopment, traffic congestion, and strain on water, sewer, and emergency systems. It references similar policies in other U.S. municipalities that mandate infrastructure readiness prior to new construction. As a non-binding resolution, it does not change law but seeks to influence the county's planning document.

Maddy summaryThis Hawaii Senate resolution (SR 40) urges the U.S. government to develop a national biodiversity strategy. It requests a coordinated federal plan to protect ecosystems, conserve species, and align with international conservation standards. The resolution highlights Hawaii’s unique biodiversity challenges, including over 550 endangered species and low federal conservation funding relative to its ecological significance. As a non-binding request, it does not create new laws but calls for federal action to address the national biodiversity crisis.

Maddy summarySenate Resolution 32 (SR 32) urges the University of Hawaii President and Board of Regents to establish a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program at the University of Hawaii Maui College. Currently, Maui students complete associate nursing degrees locally but must leave the island to pursue BSNs, with most either enrolling in out-of-state programs or the Hawaii Statewide Nursing Consortium at UH Manoa. The resolution highlights Maui’s growing healthcare needs, available clinical placements, and the goal of creating a local pathway for nursing advancement without requiring students to relocate. It requests the Board of Regents allocate resources for faculty, curriculum, and facilities to develop the program, aiming to increase local nurse graduates and address statewide nursing shortages. This is a non-binding resolution, not a law, and focuses on encouraging UH system action.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution (SR 133) requests the Department of Land and Natural Resources to adopt rules permitting rodeos on lands zoned for agricultural use. It does not create new law but asks the agency to establish regulatory guidelines. The resolution cites Hawaii's historical paniolo (Hawaiian cowboy) culture and a 1908 rodeo victory by Hawaiian cowboys as context for the request. It specifically targets agricultural zoning rules, not general land use.