Rep. Kim Coco Iwamoto

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 summaryHCR 92 is a resolution requesting Hawaii's Governor's Coordinator on Homelessness and the City and County of Honolulu to establish a two-year pilot program creating safe, temporary living spaces for homeless individuals and families on public land in Honolulu. The program would provide designated locations with essential facilities like shelter tents, restrooms, storage, laundry, and access to meals and services - including mental health support and job opportunities - while requiring partnerships with nonprofits. It mandates a specific location by November 2025, full program launch by January 2026, and a legislative report evaluating outcomes before the 2026 session. The resolution directly affects unsheltered homeless residents in Honolulu, aiming to offer dignity and stability through a structured, community-supported pilot.

Maddy summaryThis House Resolution (HR 103) requests Hawaii's State Commission on the Status of Women to form a working group focused on strengthening state-level protections under Title IX. Title IX is the federal law that prohibits sex discrimination in education programs receiving federal funds. The working group - comprising the Attorney General, education officials, university leaders, and advocacy representatives - will develop recommendations to address gaps in current protections, particularly regarding unreported sex-based discrimination and harassment in Hawaii schools. The group must submit its report to the Legislature by January 2026, with no new laws enacted by this resolution itself.

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 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 207 is a non-binding resolution urging Hawaii's Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) to conduct a comprehensive economic analysis of military-leased lands within the state's public land trust. It requires DLNR to assess lost economic opportunities (like agriculture or housing), cleanup costs for environmental damage, restoration expenses, fair market rent value (currently $1 per year), and lost tax revenue from these lands. The resolution also mandates a public process for lease negotiations and a report to the legislature by early 2026, before key military leases expire in 2029. This affects DLNR's management of over 200,000 acres leased to the military at sites including Pearl Harbor and Schofield Barracks.

Maddy summaryHCR 107 is a concurrent resolution requesting Hawaii’s State Commission on the Status of Women to form a working group focused on strengthening state-level protections under federal Title IX education anti-discrimination law. The working group would include state officials (Attorney General, Superintendent of Education, UH President) and community advocates, tasked with developing recommendations to address gaps in current Title IX compliance within Hawaii schools and universities. It specifically cites underreporting of sex-based discrimination and harassment incidents in state education systems as a key concern. The group must submit its findings and potential legislative proposals to the Legislature by late 2025, with no immediate legal effect.

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 summaryThis House Resolution requests the state Auditor to conduct a forensic audit of spending by the Departments of Corrections and Rehabilitation and Accounting and General Services related to planning, design, financing, construction, and maintenance for a new jail replacing the Oahu Community Correctional Center. It specifically targets expenditures already made ($25 million on consultants) and future funding requests ($30 million for proposals), focusing on accountability for taxpayer dollars. The resolution does not change policy but seeks to review financial decisions before proceeding with the $1 billion project. The audit will cover all phases of the proposed replacement facility's development.

Maddy summaryHR 88 is a resolution requesting Hawaii's Governor's Coordinator on Homelessness and Honolulu to establish a two-year pilot program creating safe public land sites for unsheltered homeless individuals and families on Oahu. The program would provide designated locations with essential facilities including central shelters, vehicle parking, restrooms, showers, laundry, and daily meals, while connecting residents to services like mental health support and job training opportunities. It requires agencies to select a site by November 2025, open the program by January 2026, and partner with nonprofits to operate the sites. The resolution mandates a report by 2026 detailing program progress, participants served, and recommendations for potential permanent implementation.