Sen. Lynn DeCoite

Requires the Department of Health to include in its annual report regarding Kalaupapa Settlement details and updated information, as available, regarding the permanent transfer to other governmental or qualified non-governmental entities of the powers and duties of the Department over Kalaupapa Settlement. Requires the Department of Health to report on its community engagement efforts with community stakeholders and the Molokai community. Sunsets on the first 6/30 after the Revisor of Statutes receives a written gubernatorial proclamation that the referenced transfer is complete. (CD1)

Establishes within the Office of Wellness and Resilience the State of Well-Being Project to assess and enhance Tier 1 and Tier 2 mental health support services for all key stakeholder communities across the State. Makes appropriations to implement the State of Well-Being Project including for the establishment of six full-time equivalent mental health specialist positions within the Office of Wellness and Resilience. (CD1)

Establishes a new accounting services procurement preference for certain Hawaiʻi accounting service businesses and adds it to the list of selection criteria for the procurement of professional services. Clarifies that the existing reciprocity procurement preference includes offerors under sections 103D-302 and 103D303, HRS. Repeals 6/30/2028. (CD1)

Adopts, establishes, and designates the shaka as the official gesture of the State. Authorizes the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts to develop a public work of art related to the shaka and its history to be displayed in a prominent location in the State. (CD1)

Requires the Information Technology Steering Committee to assist the Chief Information Officer to develop a plan to enhance the mobile application developed to enable the public to access the State's website. Requires the Chief Information Officer's annual report of the Office of Enterprise Technology Services to include updates on the mobile application. (CD1)

Clarifies that the Chief Energy Officer is responsible for supporting the renewable portfolio standards and reporting on certain energy matters. (CD1)

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution asks the State of Hawaii to start planning a collaboration with Japanese partners to honor the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II in 2025. The bill specifically focuses on commemorating the lives lost in the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, as well as the thousands of Hawaii residents who died during the war. It directs the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts to design a memorial that could be gifted to Japan to reinforce the shared commitment to peace and mutual respect between the two nations. The resolution serves as a formal request rather than a law, instructing state officials to coordinate with Japanese counterparts on how best to mark this historical milestone.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution asks the Hawaii Department of Health to create a working group that evaluates how clean and sober homes are currently registered and monitored. The bill focuses on facilities that provide housing for individuals recovering from substance use disorders, many of which operate independently without formal licensing. While some homes voluntarily join a state registry to receive support and referrals, the resolution seeks to assess whether unregistered homes are meeting safety standards and complying with local zoning rules. The goal is to address concerns from neighbors about overcrowding and management issues while ensuring these recovery residences continue to serve their intended purpose.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution asks the state legislature to create a task force to study ways to lower costs and increase benefits for residents when using state funds for public mass transit projects. The group, co-led by transportation committee chairs and including state officials, will review successful transit initiatives from other cities and countries to develop specific recommendations. The task force is set to operate until June 30, 2027, and must submit its final report and any proposed laws to the legislature before the next regular session begins.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution urges the Hawaii Department of Agriculture to launch a two-year pilot project aimed at improving how agricultural crimes, such as theft, vandalism, and trespassing, are handled across the entire state. The bill requests that the department work with law enforcement agencies to hire dedicated officers and evaluate the current effectiveness of prosecuting these cases. During the pilot period, the department will gather data on conviction rates, identify best practices for police and legal coordination, and analyze where crimes are most common to develop prevention strategies. By the end of the project, the department must submit reports to the Legislature detailing its findings and any proposed legislation to make the program permanent or adjust it based on the results.