Sen. Angus McKelvey

Maddy summaryThis bill (SCR 232) designates September 2nd each year as "Richard 'Buffalo' Keaulana Day" in Hawaii. It honors Richard Keaulana, a renowned surfer, Makaha's longtime chief lifeguard (1969-1990s), and cultural figure known for his surfing legacy and community leadership. The resolution is purely commemorative and specifies that this day is **not** a state holiday. It directly affects Hawaii residents through this annual recognition of Keaulana's contributions to surfing, lifeguarding, and West Oahu culture.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution requests Maui County to use eminent domain to acquire all privately owned water systems in West Maui, then manage them as public resources under county control. It aims to address water scarcity from drought, climate change, and private overuse (affecting 80% of resources), while prioritizing environmental health, Native Hawaiian cultural practices, and community access for residents and agriculture. The resolution specifies water allocation should follow public trust principles, with management guided by environmental protection and community needs. As a non-binding request, it does not create new law but urges the county to act on this recommendation.

Maddy summarySCR 166 is a Senate Concurrent Resolution requesting the Director of Finance to issue general obligation bonds to fund the Agribusiness Development Corporation's purchase of specific agricultural land parcels in North Kohala (tax map keys: 3-5-3-4:19, 3-5-4-11:18, 3-5-4-11:48). The bill directly affects the Agribusiness Development Corporation, which would use the land for agricultural development, and local farmers in North Kohala. It authorizes the use of state bonds to finance the purchase of fee simple interest in this land parcel, aiming to support sustainable farming, job creation, and food self-sufficiency. The resolution does not create new laws but requests a specific financial action to advance agricultural development in a historically underserved rural area.

Establishes a comprehensive system of public financing for all candidates seeking election to state and county public offices in the State of Hawaii, to begin with the 2028 general election year. Requires the Campaign Spending Commission to submit reports to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. Effective 4/23/2057. (SD1)

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution (SR 131) urges Hawaii's Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) to create a program enhancing accessibility for people with disabilities in Maui's state park wilderness areas, trails, and facilities. It directs DLNR to research models like Colorado's Track-Chair Program and California's wheelchair-accessible trails, and to collaborate with disability advocates. The resolution requires DLNR to submit a report detailing the program's progress, funding needs, and implementation timeline by early 2026. As a non-binding resolution, it does not create new law but seeks to improve access to public lands.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution (SR 191) urges the Hawaii Department of Human Services to increase reimbursement rates for primary care physicians treating patients enrolled in Med-Quest, Hawaii's Medicaid program. It states current rates are too low to cover costs, lack inflation adjustments, and don't account for physician experience, contributing to a decline in physicians accepting Med-Quest patients (from 75% to 10% in private practice over a decade). The resolution does not require the Department to act but formally requests rate increases to maintain access to primary care for Med-Quest beneficiaries. As a non-binding resolution, it expresses legislative concern without creating new law.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution (SR 194) requests Hawaii’s Department of Transportation to study whether eliminating the state’s safety inspection requirements for commercial vehicles (like trucks and buses) would be feasible and advisable. It directly affects motor carriers operating in Hawaii, which must comply with current inspection rules. The study would examine if inspections are effective, cost-efficient, and necessary, given Hawaii data showing vehicle failures are a minor factor in accidents compared to speeding or distracted driving. The Department must submit findings and recommendations to the Legislature by January 2026, including any proposed legislation. This is a procedural request for analysis, not a policy change.

Maddy summaryThis concurrent resolution (SCR 219) requests Hawaii's Department of Transportation to study whether to eliminate the state's safety inspection requirements for commercial motor vehicles (like trucks and buses). It directs the DOT to assess the feasibility and advisability of this change, considering that vehicle component failures contribute minimally to accidents in Hawaii - where alcohol, speed, and distracted driving are larger causes. The study must be completed and reported to the Legislature by late 2025, before the 2026 session. This resolution does not change current laws but initiates a review of existing inspection rules.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution (SR 185) requests Hawaii's Department of Education to identify public schools with outdated equipment and replace it with new, modernized equipment. It directly affects all 258 public schools in Hawaii's statewide district, serving 152,270 students. The resolution does not mandate funding or set timelines but asks the Department to assess and upgrade equipment to meet current needs. It is a procedural request addressed to the Department of Education, not a binding law. The resolution specifically cites the need for equipment modernization to support teachers, staff, and students, without detailing specific equipment types.

Maddy summaryThis concurrent resolution requests Maui County to acquire all private West Maui water systems using eminent domain and hold them in public trust, managed by the county water system. It directly affects residents, farmers, and communities relying on West Maui water resources, aiming to address strain from drought, climate change, and private control of ~80% of systems. Key mechanisms include mandatory eminent domain acquisition, public trust management, and prioritizing environmental protection, cultural preservation, and community needs in water allocation. The resolution does not create new law but urges county action to ensure equitable access and climate resilience.