Rep. Terez Amato

Maddy summaryThis bill urges state agencies to form a working group to explore ways to protect Hawaii residents from rising insurance costs and reduced coverage due to climate change. The group would assess the state's exposure to extreme weather, identify existing recovery options, and analyze legal strategies to seek financial recovery from fossil fuel companies accused of contributing to climate disasters. Key members would include the Insurance Commissioner, Attorney General, and representatives from relevant government agencies and insurance associations. The working group is expected to submit its findings and recommendations to state committees by early 2027, with the group dissolving by June 2027.

Maddy summaryThis bill requests the Hawaii Departments of Transportation and Land and Natural Resources to coordinate the return of small boat harbor management to the Department of Transportation. It directs both agencies to form a joint management team that will create detailed transition plans for transferring staff, operations, and assets. The team must develop organizational structures, update job descriptions, and address administrative needs before submitting a final report to the Legislature by early 2027. This resolution initiates planning for the transfer but does not enact the legal changes required to complete the move.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a House resolution that asks Hawaii's Insurance Division to create a working group to explore ways to protect residents from climate change impacts on insurance availability and affordability. The working group would assess how extreme weather affects insurance exposure, review existing recovery mechanisms, and analyze legal options for seeking financial recovery from fossil fuel companies accused of contributing to climate disasters. The group would include state officials, committee chairs, insurance representatives, and experts, and must submit its findings and recommendations to legislative committees by May 2027 before dissolving in June 2027.

Maddy summaryThis bill encourages the State of Hawaii to consider requiring automated external defibrillators (AEDs) in all state-owned buildings and to pursue existing AED programs. AEDs are portable devices that can treat cardiac arrest by analyzing heart rhythm and delivering electrical shocks to restore normal function. The resolution highlights that survival chances decrease significantly with each minute a victim remains in cardiac arrest, making access to these devices and training important for public health. It directs the Director of Health and Comptroller to review the state's current AED policies and consider implementing requirements for state facilities.

Maddy summaryThis bill declares that affordable housing credits issued in Hawaii are perpetual assets that remain valid until they are used to meet housing obligations, rather than expiring after a set period. It directly affects local county governments and developers who rely on these credits to fulfill affordable housing requirements under state law. The resolution clarifies that administrative agreements between counties and housing agencies should not impose expiration dates or other restrictions that are not authorized by existing statutes. By ensuring these credits maintain their full value and transferability, the bill aims to protect the financial incentives for developers and support the state's long-term housing goals.

Maddy summaryThis bill urges the Hawaii Department of Transportation to adjust the size and design of rumble strips on Kamehameha V Highway in Molokai to reduce unintended safety hazards. The resolution argues that the current rumble strips are too aggressive, causing drivers to swerve into shoulders where cyclists and pedestrians are vulnerable. It requests the department modify the strips to be shallower or use sinusoidal patterns that provide warning without encouraging dangerous avoidance maneuvers. The bill also asks for reduced noise pollution to improve quality of life for local residents. This is a non-binding resolution that does not mandate changes but formally requests the department to review and adjust the road design.

Maddy summaryThis House Resolution formally recognizes open water lifeguards in Hawaii as first responders, acknowledging their specialized training and critical role in emergency response. The bill highlights that these professionals are among the first to arrive at beach emergencies, providing medical aid, rescue services, and scene security similar to police and firefighters. While the resolution does not create new legal requirements, it urges state and county agencies to grant lifeguards the same rights, resources, and professional respect afforded to other first responders. The measure also encourages collaboration among public safety agencies to improve emergency response capabilities across Hawaii's ocean and shoreline environments.

Maddy summaryThis House Resolution expresses support for the Hawaiʻi Water Safety Coalition's Hawaiʻi Water Safety Plan, which aims to address the state's high drowning rates through a comprehensive strategy. The plan recommends establishing the coalition as a central authority for water safety, expanding funding for drowning prevention efforts, and requiring safety measures like warning signs and fencing at pools and flood control structures. It also calls for free swimming lessons for all children, improved public pool access in underserved communities, and compliance with national pool safety standards. While the resolution itself does not create new laws, it urges state agencies and local governments to collaborate with the coalition to implement these recommendations.

Maddy summaryThis bill requests the State Auditor to conduct a performance audit of the Hawaii State Building Code Council, a state agency responsible for adopting and maintaining statewide building codes. The audit will examine the Council's efficiency, its impact on regulatory consistency across counties, and whether its current structure and operations serve the public interest, particularly in light of its inactivity since September 2023. Key areas of review include the effectiveness of the three-year code update cycle, the Council's influence on construction costs and housing production, and whether counties should instead manage and fund the code adoption process. The State Auditor will consult with relevant state and county agencies, housing officials, and industry stakeholders before submitting findings and recommendations to the Legislature by early 2027.

Maddy summaryThis House Resolution encourages the State of Hawaii to consider requiring automated external defibrillators (AEDs) in all state-owned buildings and to pursue existing AED programs. The bill directly affects state agencies responsible for managing public buildings and health initiatives by prompting them to review current policies on life-saving medical equipment. It highlights the importance of AEDs for treating cardiac arrest and notes that training programs are essential for effective use, though it does not mandate specific actions. The resolution is non-binding and serves as a formal recommendation rather than a law, directing copies to the Director of Health and Comptroller for their consideration.