Rep. Terez Amato

Maddy summaryThis bill requests the Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources and the Department of Education to work together on a permanent program to increase tree coverage at public schools across the state. The initiative aims to address heat exposure and improve outdoor learning opportunities, with special attention to ensuring equitable tree distribution in lower-income and Title I schools that currently have less shade. The program would include long-term tree maintenance, strategic species selection, and the creation of dedicated staff positions to sustain the effort. It builds on existing pilot programs like Shade Trees for Schools and Fruit Trees for Schools, which have shown positive results but have been limited by short-term funding.

Maddy summaryThis bill requests the Department of Transportation to work with utility companies to create a statewide plan for addressing aging or abandoned utility poles and lines along Farrington Highway and other high-risk road corridors. The key provisions ask the department to organize assessments of infrastructure, develop repair or removal schedules, prioritize areas with high traffic or wildfire risks, and clarify who is responsible for funding and maintenance. The bill also directs the department to review existing laws regarding utility maintenance obligations and submit a detailed report to the Legislature by early 2027 outlining findings and recommendations.

Maddy summaryThis bill urges county planning and permitting agencies in Hawaii to deny all permit applications for the construction, expansion, or use of warehouses by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement for detaining individuals facing deportation. The resolution directs these agencies to refuse permits specifically for facilities intended to house large numbers of people in warehouse settings, citing concerns about mass incarceration and local resource strain. It is a non-binding recommendation that applies to county-level planning departments across Hawaii's major islands. The bill does not create new laws or penalties but instead asks local officials to exercise their permitting authority to block such facilities.

Maddy summaryThis House Concurrent Resolution urges state agencies that own or control land in West Maui to take immediate action to reduce wildfire risk in Lahaina and surrounding communities. The resolution specifically calls for aggressive vegetation management, fuel reduction, creation of defensible space, and improvement of emergency access routes on state properties. It references the 2023 Lahaina wildfires and ongoing concerns about unmanaged flammable grasses on public lands, noting that agencies like the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation and the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands hold significant land interests in the area. The measure aligns with existing state wildfire management efforts and emphasizes the responsibility of government landowners to proactively address fire hazards.

Maddy summaryThis bill asks the Hawaiʻi Civil Rights Commission to study whether current state anti-discrimination laws cover decisions made by computer algorithms and automated systems. The Commission would examine if existing rules can handle discrimination claims involving artificial intelligence used in hiring, housing, credit, and public benefits. The study will also look at legal challenges, whether new guidance is needed, and if a complaint process should be created for these types of cases. The Commission must submit its findings and any suggested laws to the Legislature before the 2027 session begins. This is a non-binding request for analysis rather than a law that changes rules immediately.

Maddy summaryThis bill urges the County of Maui to actively enforce existing fire code provisions related to brush clearance, fuel breaks, roadside vegetation management, and emergency access. It specifically targets large landowners and properties near residential areas, temporary housing sites, and evacuation corridors where overgrown vegetation poses wildfire risks. The resolution calls for the use of available enforcement tools such as inspections, fines, and citations to ensure timely compliance with rules requiring vegetation clearance within specified distances from structures. By prioritizing enforcement in high-risk zones, the bill aims to reduce wildfire hazards and protect both permanent and temporary housing communities in West Maui.

Maddy summaryThis bill urges state and city transportation departments to collaborate with local community groups to develop and improve the coastal trail system on Oahu's North Shore. The resolution emphasizes the need for safe, non-vehicular pathways to address current unsafe road conditions and encourage walking and biking in the area. It calls for community involvement in all stages of trail planning, design, construction, and maintenance to ensure the trails meet local needs. The measure also references existing efforts like the Complete Streets Ordinance and Vision Zero Action Plan as context for improving transportation safety and accessibility.

Maddy summaryThis bill urges the Hawaii Department of Transportation to work with the community along the Hana Highway to find ways to manage roadside vegetation without relying heavily on synthetic chemical herbicides. It requests the department hold public meetings in east Maui to discuss concerns about environmental and health risks from herbicides like Garlon and Finale XL, which can harm water systems and aquatic life. The resolution asks the department to review current practices, explore organic or eco-friendly alternatives, and consider community-led stewardship programs while still maintaining road safety. The Department of Transportation is asked to submit a report with findings and recommendations to the Legislature by the start of the 2027 session.

Maddy summaryThis House Concurrent Resolution urges the Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources and the Department of Transportation to clarify which agency is responsible for the Honopou Bridge on Maui and to work together to address safety and emergency access issues. The bill calls for these departments to assess the bridge's structural condition, identify restrictions on emergency vehicle access, and develop a coordinated plan to repair or upgrade the bridge so it can safely support modern fire trucks and other emergency vehicles. Additionally, the resolution requires the agencies to conduct community outreach, estimate costs and funding options, and submit a detailed report with a timeline to the Legislature by early 2027.

Maddy summaryThis bill requests the Hawaii Department of Taxation to conduct a comprehensive analysis of how corporations report their income, with a specific focus on foreign subsidiary structures. The analysis will examine different reporting methods, estimate tax revenue from companies with foreign subsidiaries, and compare Hawaii's current system with alternative approaches used by other states. The Department of Taxation must submit its findings to the Legislature by the end of 2026, providing data to help inform future fiscal planning without making any immediate policy changes.