Rep. Terez Amato

Maddy summaryHB 429 appropriates state funds to hire teachers and teacher assistants, and to purchase equipment and services for public preschool programs. It directly affects public preschools by providing resources to expand staffing and facilities. The bill's key provision is the allocation of dedicated funding, which will become available starting July 1, 2050. This legislation focuses on increasing early learning capacity through financial support, without changing existing program rules.

Requires the State Public Charter School Commission to submit an annual report on public charter schools before the opening day of each Regular Session of the Legislature. Requires the Board of Education to review and approve the annual report before the report is issued to the Governor, Legislature, and the public. Takes effect 7/1/3000. (SD1)

Maddy summaryHCR 190 is a resolution requesting Hawaii's Department of Health to convene a Demolition Waste Reduction Working Group. It aims to address Hawaii's landfill capacity crisis by reducing construction and demolition waste, which makes up 21-40% of landfill mass, and aligning with the state's 2045 carbon neutrality goals. The working group would include health department leadership, industry representatives (construction, demolition, reuse, waste management), and community groups to develop strategies for scaling material reuse, removing barriers, and creating policy incentives. The group must submit annual reports with recommendations to the legislature, focusing on environmental justice and reducing landfill reliance. This resolution directly affects the construction sector, waste management industries, and communities near landfills disproportionately exposed to waste-related health risks.

Maddy summaryHCR 104 is a concurrent resolution urging the Hawaii Department of Education (DOE) to strengthen farm-to-school programs. It directly affects Hawaii public schools, farmers, and the DOE by requesting specific actions to meet Act 175’s goal of sourcing 30% of school meal ingredients locally by 2030. Key provisions include streamlining procurement for small farms, creating a statewide farm database, offering financial incentives for local food purchases, and ensuring culturally significant foods like kalo are included. The resolution requires the DOE to submit a progress report to the Legislature by early 2026. As a non-binding resolution, it does not change laws but formally requests the DOE take these steps.

Maddy summaryHCR 65 is a House Concurrent Resolution requesting the Hawaii Land Use Commission to coordinate with county planning commissions and county councils to review general plan amendments, district boundary changes, and zoning amendments at the same time (concurrently) instead of sequentially. This would directly affect the Land Use Commission, county planning bodies, and county councils across Hawaii, particularly for projects involving land reclassification. The key mechanism is requiring these entities to schedule reviews closer together, share public hearings, and develop protocols to reduce redundant processes. The goal is to speed up the land use amendment process, which currently takes months or years due to separate reviews, helping landowners, businesses, and government agencies address housing, development, and environmental needs more efficiently. This resolution does not change laws but asks state and county agencies to improve coordination.

Maddy summaryHCR 39 is a concurrent resolution requesting state agencies to gather data and analyze costs to advance children's health coverage. It directs the Health Data Advisory Council to confirm the number of uninsured children statewide and by county for 2025, and asks the Med-Quest Division (Hawaii's children's health coverage program) to estimate costs for extending continuous coverage from age 6 to 18 and covering children currently ineligible under federal rules. The resolution also requires Med-Quest and the State Health Planning Agency to collaborate on policy recommendations and submit a report to the Legislature by early 2026. This action does not create new law but seeks data to inform future policy decisions on achieving universal health coverage for children.

Maddy summaryHCR 199 is a non-binding concurrent resolution urging the Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources to prioritize restoring and protecting wetlands and anchialine pools. It specifically requests the department apply wetland protection policies to anchialine pools (unique Hawaiian coastal ecosystems) and asks Maui County to prioritize wetland conservation in Kihei over development where possible. The resolution emphasizes these natural areas' roles in filtering water, protecting coral reefs, supporting endangered species, and reducing flood risks. It does not create new laws or funding but expresses legislative support for existing environmental protections.

Maddy summaryHCR 145 is a resolution urging Hawaii's Department of Education and Department of Health to collaborate on creating a strategic plan for the state's potential participation in the CDC's national autism prevalence surveillance program. It directs these agencies to identify necessary resources, train staff, and establish data-sharing agreements to prepare for seeking federal funding under the Autism CARES Act. The resolution specifically aims to help Hawaii gather accurate autism data for its communities - particularly Native Hawaiian and Asian populations where prevalence is higher - supporting better service planning. Agencies must submit a progress report to the legislature by January 2026. This is a preparatory step, not a funding measure, focused on building infrastructure for future CDC collaboration.

Maddy summaryHCR 208 is a non-binding resolution urging the U.S. Department of Defense to make recreational facilities on military installations in Hawaii accessible to all Hawaii residents. It specifically requests access to 10 facilities, including Hale Koa Hotel (Waikiki), Bellows Air Force Station (Waimānalo), and Pililāʻau Army Recreation Center (Oʻahu), which currently offer amenities like beaches, golf courses, and lodging. The resolution asks the DoD to develop secure access guidelines, referencing successful models from other states. It does not create new law but formally requests expanded public access to these existing military facilities. The resolution emphasizes that Hawaii residents, who contribute through taxes and military service, currently face restrictions despite the facilities' location on historically contested lands.

Maddy summaryHCR 173 is a non-binding resolution urging Hawaii's Department of Health to partner with community health centers and healthcare providers to launch education, outreach, and vaccination drives at schools with vaccination rates below 30% starting in the 2025-2026 school year. It directly affects schools in Hawaii with low immunization rates, as highlighted by data showing 17% of students lack complete vaccination records. The resolution requires the Department of Health to develop a long-term plan to address vaccine hesitancy in collaboration with the Department of Education and submit a report to the Legislature by 2026. It does not create new laws but recommends specific actions based on successful models from other states. The resolution emphasizes community engagement and culturally competent approaches to improve vaccination rates.