Rep. Kim Coco Iwamoto

Maddy summaryThis House Resolution encourages Hawaii's counties to create or expand their own historic preservation offices and staff to better protect local cultural and historic sites. The measure does not mandate any specific actions but urges county governments to establish their own review processes and inventories that work alongside the state's historic preservation program. By developing local policies and procedures, counties would gain more capacity to identify and safeguard historic resources during land use planning and development approvals. The resolution aims to strengthen overall protection of Hawaii's unique cultural heritage through improved coordination between state and local levels.

Maddy summaryThis House Concurrent Resolution expresses support for the University of Hawaii at Manoa Faculty Senate's request for university leaders to commit to defending students, faculty, and staff who exercise their rights to academic freedom and free speech. The measure responds to concerns that proposed revisions to campus expressive activity policies could restrict speech and create an antagonistic relationship between the administration and the university community. The resolution formally endorses the Faculty Senate's opposition to these policy changes and directs copies to key university officials, including the Board of Regents and the university president.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a non-binding resolution that urges state departments and agencies to include dedicated day care facilities for both adults and children when designing state buildings that will employ or house 250 or more people. The resolution highlights Hawaii's high childcare costs and workforce shortages as reasons for encouraging state facilities to integrate care spaces, which could help address access issues for working families. It also recommends that state agencies explore partnerships with licensed providers to operate these services within larger state buildings. As a concurrent resolution, it does not create new laws or require specific actions but instead serves as a formal recommendation to state officials and various government leaders.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a Hawaii Health Plan Working Group to design and recommend a basic, affordable health plan for all state residents. The working group will include representatives from the Legislature, Governor's office, Insurance Commissioner, state health agency, Hawaii Medical Service Association, and Kaiser Permanente. The group is tasked with developing a plan that addresses potential increases in uninsured residents due to federal changes to health insurance subsidies and Medicaid requirements, with recommendations to be submitted to the Legislature by early 2027.

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 directs the Hawaii Department of Transportation to create a working group that will study the costs and benefits of fossil fuel subsidies and fare-free public transit. The group will analyze how much federal money supports fossil fuels in Hawaii, calculate the true cost of gasoline when accounting for environmental and health impacts, and model the financial effects of eliminating fares on public transportation across all counties. The working group must include representatives from transportation agencies, economic researchers, and community organizations to produce policy recommendations aligned with Hawaii's goal of a zero-emissions economy by 2045.

Maddy summaryThis House Concurrent Resolution urges the Governor to protect Hawaii's public land trust and Native Hawaiian rights, particularly in response to potential federal condemnation proceedings against state lands. The bill states that if the federal government initiates condemnation actions, the Legislature is prepared to repeal various statutory benefits and exemptions currently provided to military personnel and their dependents. These provisions include tax breaks, residency exemptions, retirement benefits, and other privileges that the resolution argues are inconsistent with the state's constitutional obligations. The document serves as a formal statement of legislative intent rather than a law that immediately changes policy.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a non-binding resolution that urges Hawaii's counties to create or expand their own historic preservation offices and programs to support state-level efforts. It encourages counties to develop local policies, inventories, and review processes to identify and protect historic and cultural resources within their jurisdictions. The resolution specifically targets county governments, suggesting they establish dedicated staff, commissions, or advisory boards to coordinate preservation activities during land use planning and permitting. This measure aims to improve coordination between county and state agencies while ensuring continued protection of cultural resources even if state resources are reduced.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a House Resolution that requests the State Building Code Council and Hawaii counties to update their building codes to include specific standards for off-site construction methods like modular and prefabricated building. The resolution asks officials to adopt national standards for planning, inspection, and mechanical systems that aim to lower construction costs, speed up project delivery, and improve energy efficiency. It also encourages the creation of a statewide registry for pre-approved building designs to reduce repetitive review work while ensuring local safety requirements are met. The bill is non-binding and serves as a formal recommendation rather than a law, requiring the Council and counties to decide whether to incorporate these standards into their regulations.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a House resolution that urges the Governor of Hawaii to protect the state public land trust and Native Hawaiian rights, particularly in response to potential federal condemnation of state lands. It acknowledges historical harms caused by military activities and notes that the state has provided various benefits to military personnel while receiving insufficient federal reimbursement. The resolution states that if the federal government initiates condemnation proceedings against state lands, the legislature is prepared to take action by repealing or suspending numerous statutory provisions that provide exemptions, tax benefits, and other privileges to military members and their dependents. The bill does not enact new laws but serves as a formal statement of intent and a directive to the Governor to take protective measures.