Rep. Terez Amato

Maddy summaryThis House Resolution urges Hawaii state agencies to create a statewide peer counselor program for high school students to address loneliness and social disconnection. The proposed program would involve collaboration between the Department of Education, Department of Health, and Office of Wellness and Resilience to train students in active listening, ethical boundaries, and culturally responsive practices. Student peer counselors would serve as trained points of connection within schools, promoting belonging and helping identify students experiencing isolation while referring them to licensed mental health professionals when needed. The resolution recommends implementing the program in phases starting with pilot programs in select schools and includes the Hawaii State Youth Commission in program development and evaluation.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a non-binding request asking the University of Hawaiʻi Board of Regents to consider renaming Leeward Community College to Puʻuloa Community College. The proposal aims to reflect the cultural and historical significance of the Puʻuloa area on Oʻahu, which is known for its traditional fishponds and deep Hawaiian heritage. If adopted, the change would require official approval from the Board of Regents, which has authority over university operations, and would involve consulting with campus stakeholders and the broader community. The resolution does not mandate the name change but formally encourages the Board to evaluate the request as part of its decision-making process.

Maddy summaryThis bill asks the Hawaii Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism to submit an annual report on the Hawaii Genuine Progress Indicator (HI GPI) to the state legislature, starting in 2027. The report would provide a comprehensive assessment of the state's economic, social, and environmental well-being using metrics that go beyond traditional measures like GDP. The bill requires the report to include an executive summary, detailed indicator results across economic, social, and environmental categories, methodology explanations, policy implications, and supporting data tables. The department must also make the report available online and send copies to relevant legislative committee chairs.

Maddy summaryThis House Resolution urges the 'Aha Moku Advisory Committee to follow its adopted Rules of Practice, comply with Hawaii's Sunshine Law for public transparency, and conduct a performance review of its Executive Director. The measure directly affects the Advisory Committee, which advises the state on Native Hawaiian traditional resource management practices and receives annual public funding. Key provisions call for the committee to hold properly noticed public meetings, maintain administrative records like agendas and minutes, and establish consistent policies for managerial accountability. The resolution does not create new laws but instead requests the committee to fulfill its existing statutory duties and improve oversight of its operations.

Maddy summaryThis bill urges the Hawaii Departments of Land and Natural Resources and Transportation to clarify who is responsible for the Honopou Bridge on east Maui and coordinate efforts to address safety, wildfire risk, and emergency access concerns. The bridge, which serves as a critical route for residents and emergency responders, has conflicting load capacity assessments that may prevent modern fire trucks and ambulances from crossing safely. The resolution directs state agencies to conduct community outreach, assess the bridge's structural condition, identify access restrictions, and develop a repair or replacement plan within 20 days before the 2027 legislative session. It also requires the agencies to identify funding sources and submit a detailed report to the Legislature outlining their findings and implementation timeline.

Maddy summaryThis House Resolution asks the Department of Land and Natural Resources to transfer land parcels for the East Kapolei Transit-Oriented Development Project to the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation. It also urges the Housing Corporation to partner with the Hawaii Community Development Authority to help develop non-housing parts of the project, such as commercial and retail spaces. The resolution is based on the Housing Corporation's existing expertise in housing development and its established partnerships with other agencies for similar projects. This bill does not mandate any action but expresses the legislature's preference for how state agencies should organize their responsibilities for this development.

Maddy summaryThis bill urges state agencies that own or control land in West Maui to actively manage vegetation and reduce wildfire risks in the Lahaina area and surrounding communities. It calls for agencies to clear invasive grasses, create defensible space, maintain fuel breaks, and ensure emergency access routes remain open to protect homes, schools, and temporary housing from future fires. The resolution specifically names agencies like the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation, Department of Hawaiian Home Lands, and Department of Education as responsible for implementing these measures on their lands. The bill is based on lessons from the 2023 Lahaina wildfires and recent weather patterns that have increased fuel loads from rapid vegetation growth.

Maddy summaryThis bill asks the Hawaiʻi Civil Rights Commission to study whether current state anti-discrimination laws apply to decisions made by artificial intelligence and automated systems. The Commission would examine how these technologies are used in areas like hiring, housing, and lending to determine if existing rules can address potential bias or discrimination. The study will also look at legal challenges in handling complaints, whether new guidance is needed, and if a specific process for reporting algorithmic discrimination should be created. The Commission must submit its findings and any recommendations for new laws to the legislature before the 2027 session begins. This resolution does not change any laws directly but initiates an official review to ensure civil rights protections remain effective in the digital age.

Maddy summaryThis bill urges the County of Maui to actively enforce its existing fire code provisions related to vegetation management and fire safety. It specifically calls for the county to prioritize enforcement on large properties, areas near residential and temporary housing sites, and locations along major evacuation routes. The resolution emphasizes using available tools such as inspections, fines, and abatement orders to ensure compliance with rules on brush clearance, fuel breaks, and roadside vegetation removal. The bill does not create new laws but requests the county to implement enforcement measures already established in its fire code to reduce wildfire risks and protect communities.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a House resolution that urges the Governor of Hawaii to evaluate food insecurity conditions and create a statewide food security response plan. It directly affects state agencies, local communities, and residents concerned with food access and affordability. The resolution asks the Governor to coordinate efforts across multiple departments, identify barriers to local food production, and submit a progress report to the Legislature by early 2027. As a non-binding resolution, it does not change laws but formally requests executive action on food security issues.