Rep. Terez Amato

Maddy summaryHR 39 is a House Resolution requesting Hawaii's Department of Education to make public school recreational facilities (like pools, gyms, and fields) available to the public during non-peak hours and non-school days. It aims to address inequitable access to recreation, noting that 29% of U.S. residents lack walkable park access and low-income/rural communities in Hawaii face significant barriers. The resolution builds on existing rules requiring school facilities to be publicly accessible but seeks to expand access without the current 10-day online application requirement. It directly affects residents, particularly in underserved communities, by potentially increasing opportunities for physical activity outside of school hours. This is a request, not a binding law, and would require the Department of Education to act on the proposal.

Appropriates funds to the Department of Agriculture for agricultural biosecurity and the prevention, detection, and control of invasive species in Maui County. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Establishes statewide, uniform standards to promote agricultural tourism activities in the State for all counties that have adopted an agricultural tourism ordinance. Requires agricultural tourism activities to be registered by the county planning department. Requires agricultural tourism activities to coexist with an agricultural activity on a farming operation and requires termination of the agricultural tourism activities upon cessation of the agricultural activity, except under certain circumstances. Makes conforming amendments. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Establishes statewide goals for solid waste reduction and organic waste diversion. Requires each county to incorporate into its next integrated solid waste management plan revision a plan to divert certain organic waste generated within the county in alignment with established state benchmarks. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Amends the law authorizing the killing of mongoose by clarifying the circumstances under which mongoose may be killed and authorizing feral chickens to be killed under certain circumstances. (HD1)

Requires the Department of Agriculture to revitalize and enhance the Agricultural Statistics Program to collect data on local agricultural interests. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Appropriates funds to the Department of Human Services to authorize Medicaid coverage through the Children's Health Insurance Program to income-qualified pregnant persons and children regardless of immigration status. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Maddy summaryHCR 202 is a concurrent resolution (not a law) that strongly supports modernizing Hawaii's Patient Bill of Rights. It recommends updates to address current challenges like AI-driven insurance denials, provider shortages, and rural healthcare access. Key provisions include requiring insurers to provide clear written explanations of coverage, maintain accurate provider directories with telehealth details, guarantee emergency care access without post-service denial, and implement transparent appeals processes. The resolution also calls for insurers to report on network adequacy in shortage areas and ensure HIPAA-equivalent data security. It directs the Insurance Commissioner to enforce these standards but does not create new legal requirements itself.

Maddy summaryHCR 150 is a concurrent resolution requesting Hawaii's Department of Taxation to establish a task force to study implementing a surcharge on vacant residential properties. The task force, including the Taxation Director, Business Development Director, and Housing Finance Executive Director, must research the impacts and implementation of a surcharge similar to provisions in HB 489 (which proposes a tax on homes vacant 180+ days annually). The group must submit findings and recommendations to the Legislature by September 2025, ahead of the 2026 session. This resolution does not enact the surcharge but seeks research to inform future policy.

Maddy summaryHCR 50 is a concurrent resolution requesting the Hawaii Department of Law Enforcement and Department of Health to form a task force focused on Oahu streams. The task force must develop recommendations for humane no-trespassing policies, improve coordination between state and county agencies regarding stream encampments, connect individuals experiencing homelessness to services, and address environmental pollution. It requires specific members including agency directors, county leadership, and legislative chairs, with a report due by August 2025. This resolution does not create new laws but seeks to coordinate existing resources to address health, safety, and environmental concerns near Oahu's waterways.