Rep. Terez Amato

Maddy summaryThis House Resolution (HR 140) requests Hawaii's Department of Human Services (DHS) to apply for and implement the Elderly Simplified Application Project (ESAP) for SNAP benefits. It directly affects low-income seniors aged 60+ without earned income, aiming to simplify their access to food assistance by waiving in-person interviews, extending benefit certification to 36 months, and allowing flexible verification. The resolution asks DHS to seek federal approvals and update its rules to adopt ESAP, which is designed to reduce barriers to SNAP enrollment for seniors. Hawaii currently does not participate in ESAP despite SNAP supporting over 130,000 residents and contributing $630 million annually to the state economy.

Maddy summaryThis concurrent resolution urges the University of Hawaii (UH) to create a program specifically addressing housing instability among students, directly affecting UH students facing homelessness or housing insecurity (as noted in a 2020 Hope Center study showing 14% experienced homelessness). It requests UH use findings from its current 2025 survey on student basic needs insecurity to develop this program, strengthen mental health services, and improve awareness of available resources. The resolution is non-binding and serves as a formal request to UH leadership, not a legislative mandate.

Maddy summaryHCR 106 is a concurrent resolution requesting the Hawaii State Energy Office to study whether establishing a green bonds program is feasible for the state. It directs the office to evaluate best practices for managing such a program, identify clean energy projects that could benefit from it, and explore public-private partnerships. The study must also examine how green bonds align with existing climate goals, including Hawaii’s 2035 renewable energy target. The office must submit its findings and recommendations to the Legislature by January 2026. This resolution does not create new law or funding - it only asks for a feasibility assessment.

Maddy summaryHCR 31 is a concurrent resolution requesting the University of Hawaii to assess the feasibility of establishing an Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center. It directs the university to evaluate its current research capabilities, potential benefits for Hawaii, and the specific requirements to secure federal funding from the National Institute on Aging. The resolution requires the university to develop a phased plan, including infrastructure needs and community engagement, and submit a report by December 31, 2025. This resolution does not create the center but asks the university to explore steps toward one, directly affecting the University of Hawaii System and its research planning.

Maddy summaryHCR 103 is a non-binding resolution urging Hawaii's counties to adopt local zoning rules requiring agricultural landowners to sign and record declarations acknowledging state and county land use rules and penalties for noncompliance. It directly affects owners of land zoned for agriculture (which covers nearly 2 million acres statewide but has only about 24% actively used for crops or grazing). The resolution recommends counties require these declarations - similar to Maui’s existing practice - and provide landowners with information about farm mentoring programs to encourage active farming. It does not create new laws but seeks to increase agricultural land use by making landowners formally aware of requirements. The resolution cites data showing significant underuse of agricultural-zoned land as its key justification.

Maddy summaryHR 93 is a non-binding House Resolution urging the University of Hawaii (UH) to create a "Homeless Student Stability and Housing Resource Program" to address housing insecurity among students. It cites a 2020 study showing 44% of UH students experienced housing insecurity (including 14% who were homeless), with only 15% receiving emergency aid due to lack of awareness. The resolution requests UH use its ongoing 2025 Basic Needs Committee survey to develop a plan improving housing access, mental health services (noting UH's current 1:4,010 mental health staff-to-student ratio), and resource awareness. This resolution does not create new law but formally asks UH to act based on documented student needs.

Maddy summaryHCR 207 is a non-binding resolution urging Hawaii's Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) to conduct a comprehensive economic analysis of military-leased lands within the state's public land trust. It requires DLNR to assess lost economic opportunities (like agriculture or housing), cleanup costs for environmental damage, restoration expenses, fair market rent value (currently $1 per year), and lost tax revenue from these lands. The resolution also mandates a public process for lease negotiations and a report to the legislature by early 2026, before key military leases expire in 2029. This affects DLNR's management of over 200,000 acres leased to the military at sites including Pearl Harbor and Schofield Barracks.

Maddy summaryHCR 140 is a resolution urging Hawaii's Sister-State Committee to evaluate establishing a formal sister-state relationship with New Zealand. It focuses on strengthening ties in economic development, arts/cultural exchange, education, and environmental sustainability, highlighting shared Polynesian heritage and regional cooperation goals. The resolution does not create new law but recommends the committee develop steps for potential collaboration. It emphasizes mutual interests in areas like renewable energy, marine conservation, and cultural programs between the two regions.

Maddy summaryHCR 107 is a concurrent resolution requesting Hawaii’s State Commission on the Status of Women to form a working group focused on strengthening state-level protections under federal Title IX education anti-discrimination law. The working group would include state officials (Attorney General, Superintendent of Education, UH President) and community advocates, tasked with developing recommendations to address gaps in current Title IX compliance within Hawaii schools and universities. It specifically cites underreporting of sex-based discrimination and harassment incidents in state education systems as a key concern. The group must submit its findings and potential legislative proposals to the Legislature by late 2025, with no immediate legal effect.

Maddy summaryThis House Resolution urges the University of Hawaii President and Board of Regents to establish a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program at the University of Hawaii Maui College. It directly affects Maui residents, particularly nursing students who currently face barriers to completing BSN degrees locally - most either cannot complete the statewide consortium due to remaining in Maui's workforce or enroll in out-of-state online programs. The resolution proposes creating a local pathway to advance nursing education without requiring students to relocate, addressing gaps in the current associate-to-bachelor's transition. It does not create binding law but requests the university allocate resources for faculty, curriculum, and facilities to develop the program.