Rep. Terez Amato

Maddy summaryThis House Resolution (HR 145) requests the Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) to submit a detailed report on its lease enforcement procedures. The report must include DLNR's policies for monitoring lease compliance, how it assesses lessee violations (including for federal agencies), a summary of the 10 most recent lease revocations or non-renewals, and the total number of such cases. DLNR must submit the report to the Legislature by January 2026, including recommendations for improving enforcement transparency. This is a procedural request for information, not a policy change.

Maddy summaryThis House Resolution (HR 26) requests Hawaii's congressional delegation to ask the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to address unequal export rules for Hawaiian agricultural products. It highlights that Hawaii faces longer delays than other states in getting USDA approval to export items like cut flowers and produce, as its petitions for new exports are treated the same as foreign countries' requests and often deprioritized. This delay severely restricts Hawaiian growers' ability to sell their goods, forcing them to wait years or decades for authorization. The resolution does not change laws but formally asks Congress to advocate for Hawaii's agricultural sector to achieve parity in USDA export processes.

Maddy summaryHCR 141 is a non-binding request asking the Hawaii Legislature to establish a working group to study whether creating a Hawaii Cultural Trust is feasible. The working group, including state agency leaders (like the Business and Tourism Director and State Foundation on Culture and Arts Director) and external partners (such as Native Hawaiian organizations and cultural nonprofits), will examine funding models, tax incentives, and legal structures for such a trust. It will specifically assess how a trust could support cultural preservation, arts programs, and Hawaii’s cultural institutions through sustainable funding. The group must submit recommendations, including potential legislation, to the Legislature by early 2026, but the resolution itself does not create the trust or allocate funds.

Maddy summaryThis House Resolution (HR 106) requests the State Auditor to audit the Hawaii Department of Education's capital improvement project finances. It directs the audit to examine how funds were spent since 2021, including project prioritization, to address $2 billion in unspent capital funds and ensure efficient repairs for aging school facilities (over 20% of schools are 100+ years old). The Auditor must submit findings and recommendations to the Legislature by January 2026. The resolution does not allocate new funds or change policies, but seeks transparency in existing spending.

Maddy summaryHCR 110 is a concurrent resolution requesting the State Auditor to audit the Hawaii Department of Education's capital improvement project finances since 2021. The audit will examine how $1 billion in capital funds was spent (received during 2021-2023), including project prioritization, and address $2 billion in unspent funds as of January 2024. The Auditor must submit a report to the Legislature by February 2026, detailing findings and potential recommendations to improve transparency and efficiency in school facility repairs.

Maddy summaryHCR 151 is a concurrent resolution requesting the Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) to submit a detailed report on its lease enforcement procedures for public lands. The resolution asks DLNR to document its monitoring processes, how it assesses lessee compliance (including with federal agencies), the reasons for the 10 most recent lease revocations or non-renewals, and the total number of such cases. This report must include specific details about enforcement actions, violation histories, and renewal criteria for all lessees. The request aims to increase transparency around how DLNR enforces lease terms, particularly regarding environmental protection and contractual obligations. DLNR must submit the report to the Legislature by 20 days before the 2026 session.

Maddy summaryThis House Resolution (HR 193) requests the Hawaii Department of Transportation and Maui County Department of Transportation to collaborate with the Kihei Community Association (KCA) on planning and implementing the Kihei Mauka Road project. It directly affects Kihei residents and the KCA, a nonprofit representing the community, by requiring regular consultations to incorporate community feedback and address environmental concerns. The resolution mandates that the transportation departments work with the KCA to align the project with the Kihei-Makena Community Plan and improve traffic flow on South Kihei Road. It does not create new funding or policies but establishes a process for community involvement in an existing infrastructure initiative.

Maddy summaryThis concurrent resolution (HCR 201) requests that Hawaii's State Department of Transportation and Maui County's Department of Transportation collaborate with the Kihei Community Association (KCA) in planning and implementing the Kihei Mauka Road project. It specifically asks for regular consultations to incorporate community feedback, address environmental concerns, and align the project with the Kihei-Makena Community Plan. The resolution does not fund or construct the road but focuses on ensuring community input during the planning phase. It directly affects the KCA, state and county transportation departments, and residents of Kihei who experience current traffic and flooding challenges on South Kihei Road.

Maddy summaryThis resolution urges the County of Maui to prioritize planning the northern terminus of the Kihei North-South Collector Road to address growing traffic congestion and safety issues in the Kihei area. It directs the county to collaborate with local planning organizations (including the Maui Metropolitan Planning Organization and Maui County Planning Department) to identify the terminus location and submit a progress report to the legislature by 2026. As a non-binding resolution, it does not require the county to act but reflects legislative support for completing this infrastructure project to accommodate population growth and improve regional mobility.

Establishes the Parkinson's Disease Research Collection Database to be administered by the State Health Planning and Development Agency, to house a collection of data on the incidence of Parkinson's disease in the State. Establishes the Parkinson's Disease Research Collection Database Advisory Committee. Requires the Agency to create a Parkinson's disease research collection database webpage by 1/1/2026, and submit annual reports to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (SD1)