Rep. Elle Cochran

Maddy summaryThis bill asks Hawaii's Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism to study how to help more people living in Hawaii work remotely for companies based outside the state. The study would examine ways to make it easier for out-of-state employers to hire Hawaii residents by clarifying tax rules, simplifying registration requirements, and ensuring worker protections are maintained. The department must also consider policies that prioritize opportunities for long-term Hawaii residents and submit a report with findings and recommendations to the Legislature by early 2027. This is a non-binding resolution that directs an evaluation rather than creating immediate new laws or regulations.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes an investigating committee to examine the Kauhale Initiative and related housing projects created under emergency proclamations to address homelessness in Hawaii. The committee will review the management and performance of these projects, including financial records, procurement processes, contractor qualifications, and health and safety concerns. It is designed to follow up on an ongoing state audit that has been delayed due to missing documents and to ensure accountability for the millions of dollars in state funds allocated to these initiatives. The committee may continue operating during the legislative interim if the audit reveals mismanagement or fails to adequately address performance questions.

Maddy summaryThis bill urges Hawaii's Department of Education to create a plan for transitioning its public school buses to electric vehicles. The resolution cites existing state laws requiring greenhouse gas reduction and energy independence, while highlighting benefits observed in other districts like Oakland, including lower operating costs, improved air quality, and enhanced disaster response capabilities. The Department of Education is asked to collaborate with stakeholders, study the Oakland model, and submit a report with recommendations to the Legislature by early 2027. As a concurrent resolution, this document serves as a formal recommendation rather than a law that directly mandates funding or immediate changes.

Maddy summaryThis House Resolution urges all businesses and commercial establishments operating on Department of Hawaiian Home Lands property to display a portrait of Prince Jonah Kūhiō Kalanianaʻole in a visible and prominent location. The resolution highlights Prince Kūhiō's significant contributions to Native Hawaiian history, including his role in establishing the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act, which set aside land for Native Hawaiian homesteads. While the measure does not mandate compliance, it formally requests that these businesses honor the legacy of the Hawaiian statesman who served as a territorial delegate and championed Native Hawaiian land rights. The resolution is intended to promote awareness of Prince Kūhiō's accomplishments and ensure his image is recognized within the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands facilities.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a non-binding resolution that asks state and city officials to acknowledge that mental health facilities, sober homes, and homeless shelters are unevenly distributed across Oahu, with too many concentrated along the Waianae coast. It requests that Partners in Care Oahu consult with community stakeholders on issues such as facility proximity to schools and parks, transparency, insurance, law enforcement resources, oversight, and community engagement. The resolution formally notifies various government leaders and officials about these concerns but does not create new laws or mandate specific actions.

Maddy summaryThis bill urges the Governor of Hawaii to work with federal authorities to resolve conflicts between state medical cannabis laws and federal regulations. It specifically requests the Drug Enforcement Administration to grant an exception for registered medical cannabis patients and a registration waiver for state-licensed dispensaries. The resolution aims to protect patients and businesses from federal penalties, such as loss of employment or eligibility for federal benefits, while maintaining Hawaii's authority over intrastate medical cannabis use. The bill also requires the Governor to report progress to the Legislature quarterly and sends copies to state officials and congressional representatives.

Maddy summaryThis bill re-establishes the Commission to Improve Standards of Conduct in the Hawaii State Legislature to investigate structural issues that may have enabled a 2022 bribery conviction of a former representative. The commission will examine how concentrated power among legislative leaders and lack of transparency in bill advancement processes create opportunities for corruption. Its duties include reviewing existing rules, assessing accountability measures, and comparing Hawaii's system with other states' reform models before submitting recommendations to the Legislature by early 2027.

Maddy summaryThis bill urges all businesses and commercial establishments operating on Department of Hawaiian Home Lands property to display a portrait of Prince Jonah Kūhiō Kalanianaʻole in a visible and prominent location. The resolution highlights his historical significance as a Hawaiian leader who championed the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act, which established land trusts for Native Hawaiians. While the bill does not impose legal requirements, it formally requests that these businesses honor Kalanianaʻole's legacy by displaying his portrait. The measure is directed at entities operating within the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands, including those managing the 203,981 acres of trust lands.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a non-binding resolution that asks state and local leaders to acknowledge and fix the uneven distribution of mental health facilities, sober homes, homeless shelters, and supportive living homes across Oahu. It specifically highlights the concentration of these services along the Waianae coast and urges officials to consider factors like proximity to schools, transparency, insurance, and community input when planning future placements. The resolution directs government agencies and community partners to consult on these issues but does not mandate any specific policy changes or funding.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a House Resolution that asks Hawaii's Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism to study how to increase remote work opportunities for state residents and make it easier for out-of-state companies to hire them. The resolution directs the department to evaluate ways to clarify tax and regulatory rules for remote employers, simplify hiring processes, and ensure worker protections remain intact while prioritizing long-term Hawaii residents. The department must submit a report with findings and recommendations to the Legislature by early 2027, and copies are sent to state leadership including the Governor and relevant agency directors.