Rep. Andrew Garrett

Maddy summaryThis House Resolution (HR 184) requests Hawaii’s Department of Health to establish a Demolition Waste Reduction Working Group. It directly affects state agencies, the construction and demolition industries, and community groups focused on environmental justice and circular economy practices. The working group must develop strategies to reduce construction/demolition waste, scale material reuse, align with Hawaii’s carbon neutrality goals (by 2045), and create policy recommendations. The resolution requires the group to include health officials, industry representatives, and community experts, and to submit annual reports to the legislature with findings and proposed actions.

Maddy summaryThis House Resolution (HR 134) urges Hawaii's Sister-State Committee to evaluate and develop recommendations for establishing a formal sister-state relationship between Hawaii and New Zealand. It focuses on strengthening cooperation in economic development, arts/cultural exchange, education, and environmental sustainability, building on shared Polynesian heritage and mutual commitments to indigenous cultures and sustainability. The resolution does not create new laws but requests the committee assess potential collaboration areas and advises the Governor to implement the relationship if recommended. It directly affects Hawaii's state agencies and the Sister-State Committee, encouraging future partnerships with New Zealand.

Maddy summaryHCR 187 is a non-binding resolution urging Hawaii's governor to prepare a contingency plan if federal Medicaid funding is reduced. It specifically addresses potential impacts on Hawaii's Med-QUEST program, which covers about 20% of residents and serves vulnerable groups like children, seniors, and low-income individuals. The resolution highlights that federal funding covers 73% of Hawaii's $3 billion annual Medicaid spending and notes that proposed federal cuts could require $3.2 billion in annual state funding to maintain coverage or lead to 156,000 residents losing Medicaid benefits. As a procedural resolution, it does not change policy but seeks to prompt state-level planning for a hypothetical funding scenario.

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 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 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 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 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 summaryThis House Resolution urges Hawaii's governor to develop a plan for state Medicaid (Med-QUEST) if federal funding is cut. It highlights that Medicaid covers 1 in 5 Hawaii residents (including 1 in 3 children) and relies on 73% federal funding, with potential cuts risking coverage for 156,000 people - 34% of Hawaii's Medicaid population. The resolution notes maintaining coverage would require significant state funding increases, while dropping expansion could eliminate federal support for 156,000 vulnerable residents. As a non-binding resolution, it does not change policy but requests proactive planning.

Maddy summaryHCR 36 is a procedural resolution requesting Hawaii's Auditor to assess the social and financial impacts of a proposed mandate requiring health insurance to cover colorectal cancer screenings. It specifically directs the Auditor to evaluate House Bill 556 (2025), which aims to expand existing insurance mandates to include these screenings. The resolution requires the Auditor to submit a report by January 2026, detailing potential effects on costs, access, and health outcomes as mandated by Hawaii Revised Statutes §23-51. This assessment is a legal prerequisite before the legislature can consider implementing the screening coverage mandate.