Rep. Terez Amato

Maddy summaryHCR 198 is a symbolic resolution passed by the Hawaii State House of Representatives expressing support for Taiwan's participation in international organizations and strengthening Hawaii-Taiwan ties. It urges the U.S. government to support Taiwan's observer status in the World Health Organization, International Civil Aviation Organization, and other bodies, while endorsing Hawaii's longstanding sister-state relationship with Taiwan. The resolution highlights Hawaii's agricultural exports to Taiwan, educational exchanges, and Taiwan's role as a key semiconductor supplier to the U.S. economy. As a concurrent resolution (not a binding law), it does not create new policy but formally states Hawaii's position in favor of democratic partnerships.

Maddy summaryThis House Resolution (HR 101) urges the U.S. federal government to create a national biodiversity strategy. It does not create new laws or allocate funding but asks the federal government to develop a coordinated plan to conserve biodiversity, set conservation targets, and collaborate with Indigenous communities and other stakeholders. Hawaii’s context drives this request, citing its 550+ endangered species (25% of the national total) receiving only 3% of federal conservation funding, alongside global biodiversity loss data. The resolution emphasizes the strategy should address ecosystem services, climate resilience, and equity, aligning with international conservation goals. As a non-binding resolution, it directly addresses the U.S. government’s policy approach, not specific affected groups.

Maddy summaryHCR 101 is a request to Hawaii's Department of Taxation to create a one-time "Tax Amnesty Day" allowing businesses and individuals with unpaid taxes to settle their liabilities without penalties or fines. It directly affects taxpayers who owe back taxes due to financial hardship, errors, or unintentional noncompliance. The resolution cites Hawaii's 2009 Tax Fresh Start Program, which collected $14.4 million in unpaid taxes, as a successful model. The Department would need to develop implementation guidelines and report on feasibility to the Legislature by 2026. This is a procedural request, not a binding law.

Maddy summaryThis House Resolution (HR 172) urges Hawaii's Governor to appoint members to the inactive Hawaii Health Authority to plan for transitioning to a state-run, single-payer health care system. The resolution directs the Authority to develop a plan for implementation after securing federal waivers to access Medicare, Medicaid, and Tricare funding, aiming to reduce administrative costs (estimated at 15% in hospitals and provider billing) that currently consume significant state health spending. If successful, the plan could lower overall state health care costs by up to 30%, freeing budget resources for community programs and improving pay for primary care doctors to address physician shortages. The Authority must submit a progress report to the Legislature by early 2026.

Maddy summaryThis Hawaii House Resolution (HR 190) is a symbolic expression of support for Taiwan's democratic values and security, not a binding law. It urges the U.S. government to endorse Taiwan's observer status in international organizations like the World Health Organization, International Civil Aviation Organization, and International Criminal Police Organization. The resolution highlights Hawaii's longstanding sister-state relationship with Taiwan (since 1993), Taiwan's role as a semiconductor leader critical to global supply chains, and Hawaii's agricultural trade with Taiwan. It specifically calls for advancing U.S.-Taiwan trade initiatives, including a Bilateral Trade Agreement. The resolution has no legal effect but formally expresses Hawaii's position to federal officials and Taiwan.

Maddy summaryHR 46 is a House Resolution requesting the Hawaii Department of Law Enforcement and Department of Health to form a task force by August 1, 2025. The task force must include state agencies, Honolulu officials, legislative leaders, and community representatives to address no-trespassing policies along Oahu streams. Its key goals are developing humane enforcement practices, improving state-county coordination on encampments, connecting unhoused individuals to services, and mitigating environmental pollution from stream encampments. The task force must submit recommendations to the Legislature by August 2025, with a final report due before the 2026 legislative session. This is a procedural resolution that directs collaboration but does not create new laws.

Maddy summaryHCR 176 is a concurrent resolution urging the Governor to appoint members to reactivate the Hawaii Health Authority. The resolution directs the Authority to plan for a transition to a single-payer health care system that would cover all state residents, aiming to reduce administrative costs (estimated at 15% savings in hospital and physician billing) by simplifying payment systems. Implementation would require federal waivers to maintain Medicare, Medicaid, and Tricare funding, with the Authority required to report progress to the Legislature by early 2026. This resolution does not create new law but seeks to restart planning for a potential system change.

Maddy summaryThis resolution urges Maui County's Planning Department to retain the word "require" in the South Maui Community Plan regarding infrastructure. It ensures new development projects must have essential infrastructure (like roads, water systems, and sewer capacity) completed before occupancy. The resolution addresses community concerns about overdevelopment, traffic, environmental strain, and costly retrofits if infrastructure isn't built upfront. It is a non-binding request, not a law, directed at county planning officials.

Maddy summaryHCR 181 is a non-binding resolution requesting Hawaii's State Office of Elections to form a working group to study changing the state's automatic voter registration system from an opt-in to an opt-out model. The working group would include election officials, Honolulu Department of Customer Services, and advocacy groups like Common Cause Hawaii and the League of Women Voters. The resolution aims to address low voter turnout (32.1% in 2024) by exploring how an opt-out system could streamline registration and increase participation, with the group required to submit findings and recommendations to the Legislature by late 2025. This resolution does not change election law but seeks to evaluate potential improvements to voter registration processes.

Maddy summaryHCR 38 is a resolution requesting Hawaii's Tax Review Commission to study how to implement the state's existing Hawaii Long-Term Care Financing Program (established by Act 245 in 2002). It directs the Commission to identify possible financing methods, including reconsidering a 2003 proposal for a Long-Term Care Income Tax Credit, and to report findings to the Legislature by early 2026. The resolution does not create new law but asks the Commission to analyze implementation options and costs for the program, which aims to provide affordable long-term care for eligible residents regardless of income. This is a procedural step to advance a program framework that lacks operational details.