Rep. Elle Cochran

Maddy summaryHCR 132 is a procedural resolution authorizing a 25-year, non-exclusive easement for Hololani Resort Condominiums at Kahana Beach, Lahaina, Maui. It permits the removal of emergency sandbags and construction of a rock revetment on state submerged lands (6,128 sq ft) already approved through prior permits. The easement requires the resort to pay fair market value for the land use and completes a long-approved shoreline protection project. This resolution finalizes a previously permitted project that has undergone extensive environmental review and public comment. The rock revetment replaces temporary sandbags to improve beach access, reduce debris, and minimize public beach impact.

Maddy summaryThis bill requests Honolulu's Auditor to audit the city's permitting, inspection, and penalty processes for "monster homes" (oversized homes violating zoning and building codes). The Auditor must identify flaws and recommend specific improvements, including process amendments, penalty adjustments (based on property value, demolition costs, or correction costs), compliance time limits, enforcement strategies, and follow-up procedures. The report must be submitted to Honolulu's leadership and the state legislature by early 2026. This directly affects the city's planning department, enforcement officers, and property owners constructing non-compliant large homes. The bill focuses on systemic review and policy recommendations, not on defining or condemning "monster homes" themselves.

Maddy summaryHR 155 is a Hawaii state House resolution urging the Peace Corps to immediately establish a mission in the Marshall Islands. It calls for coordination with U.S. agencies (like the Department of Defense and USAID) and international organizations to address the Marshall Islands' health challenges (including cancer from nuclear testing), food insecurity (90% imported food, high obesity/diabetes rates), and economic reliance on U.S. Compact funding. The resolution does not create new law but expresses legislative support for renewed Peace Corps engagement, noting their prior service (1966-1996) and current needs like improving education (only 9% college graduation).

Maddy summaryHCR 159 is a Hawaii House concurrent resolution urging the U.S. Congressional Pacific Islands Caucus to reintroduce and advocate for the "Engage the Pacific Act." It does not create new law but formally requests the Caucus revive a previously considered bill (the Engage the Pacific Act) that would require the Secretary of State to establish a Pacific civil society engagement committee, improve U.S. communications strategy in the region, and fund education scholarships for Pacific Islanders. The resolution highlights the Act's goals of strengthening U.S. partnerships with Pacific Island nations amid regional security challenges and sovereignty threats. This is a symbolic legislative request with no direct legal effect or impact on specific constituents.

Maddy summaryThis is a House Resolution (not a bill), urging the Congressional Pacific Islands Caucus to reintroduce and advocate for the "Engage the Pacific Act." It does not create new law but requests action on a previously proposed measure. The resolution cites that the 118th Congress considered this Act (which would require the State Department to establish a civil society engagement committee, develop a Pacific communications strategy, and support education scholarships), but it was not passed. The resolution aims to renew U.S. commitment to Pacific Island nations through this specific legislative proposal.

Maddy summaryThis non-binding House Resolution urges the University of Hawaii to extend its resident-tuition-equivalent rate (currently available only to students from the Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, and Palau) to additional Pacific Island nations. It does not change tuition policy but requests the university update its qualifying nations list to include more Pacific Island neighbors, aiming to increase educational access for students from those regions. The resolution specifically references expanding beyond the current 150% resident-rate list (covering nations like American Samoa and Tonga) to align with the Freely Associated States' 100% rate.

Maddy summaryHCR 162 is a non-binding concurrent resolution urging the University of Hawaii to extend reduced tuition rates to students from Pacific Island nations without public bachelor's degree programs. Currently, students from the Freely Associated States (Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Palau) pay 100% of resident tuition, while others like American Samoa pay 150%. The resolution requests expanding this 100% rate to include additional Pacific Island nations on the university's updated list. This directly affects students from qualifying Pacific Island countries seeking undergraduate education at the University of Hawaii.

Authorizes the Department of Education to establish a program to award high school diplomas to persons who did not receive a diploma as a result of compulsory or voluntary induction into the armed services and persons whose high school education was interrupted due to wartime practices during World War II, the Korean War, or the Vietnam War. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Appropriates funds to increase the funding for Medicaid in-home services, conditioned on the Department of Human Services obtaining the maximum federal matching funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Maddy summaryHB 627 allocates funds to the Department of Education to hire staff focused on implementing and maintaining school safety measures. It directly affects public schools and students by providing resources for safety personnel, though the specific roles aren't detailed in the abstract. The bill's key mechanism is funding these positions, with an effective date listed as July 1, 3000 (likely a typo for 2030). The bill passed committee with amendments on February 4, 2025, but remains pending final approval.