Sen. Stanley Chang

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution encourages the Hawaii Department of Education to introduce a basic swimming course at either the primary or secondary education level. The measure aims to address high drowning rates and water safety disparities by promoting access to swimming skills for students. It does not mandate funding or curriculum changes but serves as a formal recommendation to state education officials. The resolution is directed to the Superintendent of Education and the Chairperson of the Board of Education for their consideration.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution urges the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism to submit an annual Hawaii Genuine Progress Indicator (HI GPI) report to the Legislature starting in 2027. The report must be delivered no later than 30 days before each regular legislative session and should include transparent findings on economic, social, and environmental welfare trends. Required components include an executive summary, detailed indicator results, methodology explanations, policy implications, and supporting data appendices. The resolution also directs the department to make the report available online and send copies to relevant legislative committee chairs. This measure aims to provide lawmakers with a more comprehensive view of the state's progress beyond traditional economic metrics like GDP.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution requests the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands to expand and strengthen programs focused on financial literacy, credit readiness, and homeownership preparedness for Native Hawaiian beneficiaries. The bill directs the department to partner with financial educators, credit counselors, and community organizations to provide pre-award education, post-award support, and culturally responsive materials. Additionally, the resolution asks the department to identify funding opportunities and submit a detailed report to the Legislature by early 2027 outlining program improvements, participant numbers, and measurable outcomes related to lease stability and homeownership readiness.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Concurrent 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 directs the transfer of fee simple title for two tax map keys, (3) 4-1-6:7 and (3) 2-6-18:1, under authority granted by Act 90 of the 2003 Hawaii Session Laws. The resolution requires approval from the Board of Land and Natural Resources and the Board of Agriculture and Biosecurity before the transfer can proceed. This administrative action aims to consolidate management of agricultural public lands in accordance with state constitutional provisions.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution from Hawaii urges the U.S. President and Congress to release all federal records related to the Jeffrey Epstein investigations, with redactions limited only to protecting the privacy and safety of victims. It directly addresses the U.S. executive and legislative branches, calling for full transparency in government documents that have been mishandled by the Department of Justice. The resolution specifically requests that the Department of Justice stop releasing unredacted victim identities while also removing unnecessary redactions on the names and communications of other individuals involved in the case. Additionally, it asks Congress to investigate and compel testimony from all individuals implicated in the Epstein files.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Concurrent Resolution urges the Governor to reactivate the Hawaii Health Authority to develop a plan for transitioning Hawaii to a single-payer healthcare system. The bill proposes that the Authority study how to implement such a system by capturing federal funding from Medicare, Medicaid, and TRICARE, with the goal of reducing administrative costs and improving healthcare access. It requests that the Authority submit a progress report and recommendations to the Legislature by early 2027. This resolution does not change any laws or allocate funding but serves as a formal expression of support for planning a healthcare system overhaul.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution asks Hawaii's Department of the Attorney General to create a working group focused on technology-facilitated abuse affecting youth and young adults. The group will include representatives from state agencies, domestic violence organizations, and youth commissions to study issues like digital stalking, spyware, and nonconsensual image sharing. The working group will assess current laws, evaluate platform safety practices, and review solutions from other states before submitting recommendations to the Legislature by early 2027. This resolution does not create new laws but establishes a committee to study the problem and propose future policy changes.

Maddy summaryThis bill asks the Hawaii Department of Health to study the costs and benefits of requiring water suppliers to adjust fluoride levels to match the optimal standard set by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The study would examine how mandating community water fluoridation could impact oral health across the state, where currently only military bases provide fluoridated water. The Department of Health would submit its findings and recommendations to the Legislature before the 2027 session begins. This resolution does not immediately change water systems but initiates a review to inform future policy decisions about water fluoridation.

Maddy summaryThis bill requests the Department of Law Enforcement to expand an existing Agricultural Enforcement Pilot Program from the islands of Hawaii and Oahu to include Kauai and Maui. The program aims to address rising agricultural crimes such as trespassing, theft, vandalism, and illegal hunting by providing dedicated enforcement resources to protect farmers and food security. It does not create new laws but asks state agencies to extend a current pilot initiative to two additional islands where enforcement gaps currently exist.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution asks the Governor of Hawaii to establish a clear line of succession for the Chief Election Officer position, ensuring there is always someone authorized to manage state elections. If the Chief Election Officer role becomes vacant, the resolution directs the Governor to appoint an acting officer from within the Office of Elections, starting with the supervisor of election support services and moving down a specific list of other supervisors if needed. This measure aims to prevent election administration disruptions and maintain public trust by guaranteeing that election results can be compiled and certified without legal ambiguity. The request applies to all state elections and affects the Office of Elections staff who would serve in these temporary leadership roles.