SCR 194 Hawaii Senate · 2025 Regular Session

REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH TO ENCOURAGE REDUCTIONS IN THE USE OF DISPOSABLE SURGICAL EQUIPMENT AND ADOPTION OF SUSTAINABLE PRACTICES IN THE PROVISION OF HEALTH CARE SERVICES FOLLOWING EXAMPLES SET BY CALIFORNIA AND JAPAN.

SCR 194 is a non-binding resolution requesting Hawaii's Department of Health to encourage healthcare facilities to reduce disposable surgical equipment use and adopt sustainable practices, following examples from California and Japan. It directs the Department to develop guidelines, promote partnerships with sterilization companies, and submit a 2026 report on cost savings and environmental benefits. The resolution directly affects hospitals and medical centers by setting a framework for potential waste reduction initiatives through state health authority guidance. It does not mandate changes but seeks to facilitate voluntary adoption of sustainable practices.

Issues: ✓ Environment

Bill status passed both 4 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Mar 2025

Committee Review

Apr 2025

Senate Passage

Apr 2025

House Passage

Apr 2025

Governor

Introduced Mar 7, 2025 Last action Apr 22, 2025

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

SCR194 → SCR194_SD1 · 4 edits

MODERATE

The bill was reformatted from a traditional legislative document to a structured digital template with metadata headers. The substantive policy content remains largely the same, requesting the Department of Health to reduce disposable surgical equipment use and adopt sustainable practices. The main change is the addition of technical metadata fields for digital tracking rather than policy modifications.

TECHNICAL

Added metadata headers including bill number (SCR194 SD1), timestamps, and document tracking codes for digital filing systems

Changed document structure from traditional text format to structured template with metadata fields

Removed traditional header formatting including date stamps and page numbers in original layout

Added language change from 'reduce the use' to 'encourage reductions in the use' in the resolution text

Floor votes

How they voted

This bill passed the Senate by voice vote (no roll call recorded).

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Apr 22, 2025

Upper · Passed

Resolution adopted in final form.

upper

Apr 22, 2025

Introduced

Received from House (Hse. Com. No. 790).

upper

Apr 21, 2025

Lower · Passed

Adopted with none voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and Representative(s) Cochran, La Chica, Woodson excused (3).

lower

Apr 21, 2025

Lower · Passed

Reported from EEP (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 2142), recommending adoption.

lower

Apr 17, 2025

Lower · Passed

The committee on EEP recommend that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED. The votes were as follows: 4 Ayes: Representative(s) Lowen, Perruso, Kahaloa, Kusch; Ayes with reservations: none; Noes: none; and 1 Excused: Representative(s) Quinlan.

lower

Apr 14, 2025

Committee

Report adopted; referred to the committee(s) on EEP with none voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and none excused (0).

lower

Apr 14, 2025

Committee

Reported from HLT (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 2078), recommending referral to EEP.

lower

Apr 11, 2025

Lower · Passed

The committee on HLT recommend that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED. The votes were as follows: 7 Ayes: Representative(s) Takayama, Keohokapu-Lee Loy, Amato, Chun, Marten, Olds, Alcos; Ayes with reservations: none; Noes: none; and 2 Excused: Representative(s) Takenouchi, Garcia.

lower

Apr 4, 2025

Committee

Referred to HLT, EEP, referral sheet 28

lower

Apr 3, 2025

Introduced

Received from Senate (Sen. Com. No. 529) in amended form (SD 1).

lower

Apr 3, 2025

Upper · Passed

Report and Resolution Adopted, as amended (SD 1). Transmitted to House.

upper

Apr 2, 2025

Upper · Passed

Reported from HHS (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 1541) with recommendation of adoption, as amended (SD 1).

upper

Mar 28, 2025

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on HHS recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in HHS were as follows: 5 Aye(s): Senator(s) San Buenaventura, Aquino, Hashimoto, Keohokalole, Fevella; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 0 Excused: none.

upper

Mar 20, 2025

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on HHS has scheduled a public hearing on 03-28-25 1:00PM; Conference Room 225 & Videoconference.

upper

Mar 12, 2025

Committee

Referred to HHS.

upper

Mar 7, 2025

Introduced

Offered.

upper

1 primary · 0 co-sponsors