Rep. Terez Amato

Maddy summaryHouse Resolution 138 requests Hawaii's Attorney General to investigate whether crisis pregnancy centers operating in the state comply with patient privacy regulations. The resolution requires the Attorney General to report findings and recommendations, including potential legislative changes, to the Legislature by January 2026. This request follows studies indicating many crisis pregnancy centers - nonprofits that often provide services like pregnancy tests and ultrasounds while discouraging abortions - may collect personal health data without proper oversight. The investigation will assess compliance with existing privacy laws, not alter the centers' operations.

Maddy summaryHR 171 is a House Resolution urging Hawaii's Attorney General to investigate whether property management software with algorithms is being used to set or fix rental prices in the state's housing market. It requests an examination of how such software collects pricing data, recommends rent levels, potentially enables landlord collusion, and affects housing affordability. The resolution does not create new laws but asks the Attorney General to report findings - including whether these practices contribute to rising rents - by early 2026. It directly affects the Attorney General's office and aims to inform future legislative action on Hawaii's housing crisis.

Maddy summaryHCR 175 is a concurrent resolution urging Hawaii's Attorney General to investigate whether property management software using algorithms is enabling price-fixing or anti-competitive practices in the state's rental housing market. It specifically directs the Attorney General to examine how such software collects pricing data, recommends rent levels, and potentially facilitates collusion among landlords. The resolution requires a report detailing whether these practices contribute to rising rents and recommendations for addressing them, due to the Legislature by early 2026. This resolution does not change laws but seeks factual findings to inform future policy on Hawaii's severe housing affordability crisis.

Maddy summaryHCR 105 is a non-binding Hawaii House resolution urging the U.S. government to create a national biodiversity strategy. It calls for a comprehensive plan to conserve ecosystems, protect species, and address the biodiversity crisis - impacting all U.S. citizens and natural resources. The resolution emphasizes the need for coordinated federal action, equity in conservation efforts, and alignment with international goals like the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Hawaii highlights its own biodiversity challenges (e.g., 550+ endangered species and minimal federal funding) as a reason for federal action. This resolution does not create new laws but advocates for a strategic approach to biodiversity conservation.

Maddy summaryHCR 88 is a concurrent resolution requesting Hawaii’s Housing Finance and Development Corporation to create a task force to study whether a state-run equity conversion mortgage program for kupuna (elderly homeowners) is feasible. The task force would examine how such a program - similar to federal reverse mortgages - could help kupuna access home equity to cover living costs without selling their homes or taking on new monthly debt. It would specifically review details like eligibility, consumer protections, and housing transition plans, referencing related legislation (HB 1306). The resolution does not create the program but asks for a feasibility report to be submitted to the 2026 Legislature. This affects kupuna homeowners facing fixed incomes and rising home ownership costs.

Maddy summaryHR 167 is a House Resolution requesting the Hawaii Auditor to assess the social and financial impacts of a proposed mandate requiring health insurance coverage for continuous glucose monitors (CGMs). This procedural resolution does not create new law but follows Hawaii Revised Statutes §23-51, which requires such assessments before mandating coverage. It specifically directs the Auditor to evaluate House Bill 820 (2025 session), which proposes expanding insurance mandates to include CGMs for diabetes management. The Auditor must submit findings by 20 days before the 2026 legislative session. This resolution affects the Auditor's office and informs future legislative decisions on CGM coverage.

Maddy summaryHCR 48 is a non-binding House Concurrent Resolution urging future Hawaii legislatures to propose and the public to ratify a constitutional amendment guaranteeing all residents the right to a clean environment and stable climate. It cites environmental concerns in Hawaii, including water pollution from the Red Hill facility and climate impacts like rising sea levels, and references similar amendments adopted in Montana, New York, and Pennsylvania. The resolution does not create new legal rights itself but formally encourages future action toward this constitutional change. It is a procedural step, not a law affecting current policies or individuals.

Maddy summaryHCR 148 is a Hawaii legislative resolution requesting the Department of Health to create a task force that will develop minimum professional standards for community health worker (CHW) training programs. The task force must include representatives from the Department of Health, community colleges, CHW associations, health organizations, and county-based CHWs. It will identify standards to ensure consistent training quality and report findings to the Legislature by early 2026. This resolution directly affects CHW training programs and the professionals who support community health access across Hawaii.

Maddy summaryThis House Resolution (HR 44) encourages future Hawaii legislatures to propose a constitutional amendment and urges voters to ratify it, which would guarantee all residents the right to a clean, healthy environment and stable climate. It does not create new legal requirements or change current law - it is a symbolic resolution referencing environmental concerns like water pollution and climate impacts in Hawaii. The resolution cites examples from Montana, New York, and Pennsylvania where similar constitutional amendments were adopted. It directly addresses future Hawaii lawmakers and voters, not current policy or affected individuals.

Maddy summaryThis House Resolution (HR 194) strongly supports and recommends implementing the Revised 2025 Hawaii Patient Bill of Rights, which would modernize patient protections for all Hawaii residents covered by health insurance. It proposes key changes including requiring insurers to provide clear, translated explanations of coverage; maintain up-to-date provider directories with telehealth availability; ensure timely specialist referrals; prevent denial of emergency care based on retrospective review; and establish simpler appeals processes with online tools and hotlines. The resolution specifically addresses current issues like AI-driven coverage denials, provider shortages (affecting 35% of Hawaii's population in shortage areas), and network adequacy in rural communities. It does not create new law but urges adoption of these patient-focused provisions to improve transparency, access, and data security in Hawaii's healthcare system.