Sen. Stanley Chang

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution requests the Department of Land and Natural Resources to transfer ownership of specific public land parcels to the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity. The bill identifies two particular tax map keys - (3) 4-1-6:7 and (3) 2-6-18:1 - that would change from state land management to agricultural department control. The transfer would follow existing state laws and constitutional requirements for using public lands to support farming and homeownership. Both state boards must approve the transaction before the land ownership officially changes hands.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a formal request from the Hawaii Senate asking the U.S. President and Congress to release all federal records related to the Jeffrey Epstein investigations, with redactions only to protect victims' privacy and safety. It directly affects federal agencies holding Epstein-related documents and calls for greater transparency in how these records are handled. The resolution criticizes current Department of Justice actions for allegedly over-redacting names of individuals involved while under-redacting victim information, and urges Congress to investigate all implicated parties. It does not create new laws but serves as an official appeal for federal officials to take specific actions regarding document disclosure and accountability.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution asks the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity and the Department of Law Enforcement to strengthen penalties and enforcement actions against dog attacks on livestock. It directly affects farmers and ranchers who raise animals in Hawaii, aiming to address financial losses from uncontrolled dogs harming their herds. The resolution does not change laws directly but formally requests state agencies to review and enhance their existing measures for protecting livestock from dog attacks. It highlights the economic importance of livestock production and the severe impacts of dog attacks on producers. The document is a formal request rather than a law, so it has no immediate legal effect pending agency response.

Maddy summaryThis bill requests the Hawaii Department of Budget and Finance to study the feasibility and benefits of establishing a state-owned sovereign wealth fund. The proposed fund would invest state assets, such as tourism revenues and budget surpluses, to generate long-term financial returns for the state's residents. The study would examine how the fund could support economic stability, fund infrastructure, and potentially distribute investment earnings to qualified residents as cash dividends. The Department is required to submit a report with findings and recommendations to the Legislature by the end of 2026.

Maddy summaryThis bill requests the Legislative Reference Bureau to study whether Hawaii should replace its appointed Chief Election Officer with a Secretary of State elected by voters to oversee elections. The study will examine current laws governing election administration and outline the legal steps needed to make such a change. It compares Hawaii's current system with other states, noting that 33 states elect their chief election officials while 47 have a Secretary of State position. The Legislative Reference Bureau must submit its findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, to lawmakers before the 2027 regular session begins.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution asks the Hawaii Department of Human Services to study the costs and benefits of creating an Office of the Child Advocate to oversee the state's child welfare system. The bill is prompted by recent high-profile cases of child abuse in foster care and previous findings that the department failed to properly license foster homes, leading to lawsuits and lost federal funding. The study would examine how an independent oversight office could conduct site visits, investigate complaints, review internal records, and issue recommendations to improve child safety and accountability. The department must submit its findings and any proposed legislation to the Legislature by the end of 2026.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Concurrent Resolution urges the Hawaii Public Utilities Commission to hold at least two public community meetings before approving major energy projects that would be built in affected communities. The bill defines major energy projects as those costing $10 million or more, including solar farms, wind facilities, battery storage, and other infrastructure. While the resolution does not change law, it formally requests the commission to gather community input to address concerns about energy equity and ensure local residents have a voice in decisions that impact their neighborhoods. The measure aims to promote transparency and reduce conflicts that could delay construction of clean energy projects.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution requests the Department of Law Enforcement to expand an existing agricultural enforcement pilot program to the islands of Kauai and Maui. The bill directly affects law enforcement agencies and farmers across Hawaii who face challenges from agricultural crimes such as trespassing, theft, and vandalism. The key provision is a formal request to extend the pilot program's scope from its current locations on Hawaii and Oahu to include Kauai and Maui, aiming to strengthen enforcement efforts in those areas. This resolution does not create new laws or penalties but instead asks the department to apply an already established program to additional islands.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution requests a study to examine how federal housing allowances, such as the Basic Allowance for Housing, affect rental market conditions in Hawaii. The study will be conducted by the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism in collaboration with the University of Hawaii Economic Research Organization and will focus on areas with significant military presence. Key areas of investigation include analyzing the relationship between housing allowance rates and rental prices, assessing whether prices cluster near military installations, and evaluating the potential impact on local working families. The study will also measure the economic benefits of federal housing expenditures to provide a balanced assessment of both costs and benefits. The final report is to be submitted to the Legislature by the end of 2026.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution urges the Board of Land and Natural Resources to extend existing leases and subleases on Mauna Kea lands for an additional ten years. The bill directly affects the Board of Land and Natural Resources, the Mauna Kea Stewardship and Oversight Authority, the University of Hawaii, and entities operating telescope observatories on the mountain. The resolution specifically requests the extension of the master lease agreement and all subleases currently in effect, which are set to expire on December 31, 2033. This action would allow continued astronomical research operations on the site under the existing legal framework established by Act 255 of 2022.