Rep. Dee Morikawa

Maddy summaryHCR 37 is a concurrent resolution requesting the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency to partner with county emergency management offices (including Honolulu, Hawaii, Maui, and Kauai) to create outreach programs. It specifically aims to inform kupuna (elderly Hawaiians, who make up 19% of the state population and face higher risks during disasters due to health or communication barriers) about emergency preparedness. The resolution does not create new laws but asks agencies to develop educational initiatives to improve safety for this vulnerable group during natural disasters like hurricanes or tsunamis.

Authorizes the Department of Education to subsidize all tuition and mandatory fees for a resident student enrolled in a 4-year college campus of the University of Hawaii System with an education program or that offers an education degree for the semester or term that the student enrolls in a State-Approved Teacher Education Program under certain conditions. Effective 7/31/2050. (SD2)

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.

Provides that violent felons that are in violation of the prohibition against owning, possessing, or controlling a firearm or ammunition are subject to a mandatory prison term. (HD1)

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 summaryHR 147 establishes a legislative working group to oversee how the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands uses funds from Act 279 (which appropriated $600 million to help native Hawaiian applicants secure homestead leases). The group, composed of seven state representatives, must submit progress reports to the House by specific deadlines before the 2026 and 2027 legislative sessions and will dissolve on January 1, 2027. This resolution continues oversight originally recommended by a prior working group, following the extension of the deadline for using Act 279 funds until 2026. It does not change policy but ensures transparency about the department’s use of these funds.

Maddy summaryHR 59 is a House Resolution requesting the 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 landowners, developers, and government agencies seeking to change land use for housing, infrastructure, or business purposes. The key mechanism requires state and county bodies to schedule reviews together, share public hearings, and create protocols to reduce redundant processes and lengthy delays. The resolution does not create new laws but asks agencies to streamline existing procedures to expedite land reclassification.

Maddy summaryHB 108 allows certain licensed beer and distilled spirits sellers to ship directly to consumers. It requires state liquor commissions to create rules for this new shipping method. The law would apply to specific licensed businesses, not all alcohol retailers. The policy change is set to take effect on July 1, 2050.

Maddy summaryHR 30 is a House Resolution requesting the University of Hawaii to explore establishing an Alzheimer's Disease Research Center and identify requirements for securing federal funding from the National Institute on Aging. The resolution directs the university to assess its current research capabilities, evaluate potential benefits, and outline steps to meet federal grant criteria, with a report due by December 31, 2025. This procedural request does not create a new program but seeks feasibility analysis for potential future research infrastructure.

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.