Rep. Kim Coco Iwamoto

Maddy summaryThis bill requests the Department of Transportation and the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands to form a working group that will coordinate infrastructure planning for Hawaiian home land developments. The working group will include leaders from both departments, the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, and infrastructure experts to review overlapping projects and identify ways to reduce costs through synchronized planning. Specifically, the group will map out planned improvements over a five-year period, evaluate opportunities to combine construction efforts like road and drainage work, and assess potential cost savings from joint execution. The group is tasked with developing a standardized coordination process, identifying legal or procedural barriers to cooperation, and recommending any necessary changes to make coordinated planning permanent. The working group must submit its findings and recommendations to the Legislature by the end of 2026 and will dissolve on June 30, 2027.

Maddy summaryThis bill requests the Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources and the Department of Education to work together on a permanent program to increase tree coverage at public schools across the state. The initiative aims to address heat exposure and improve outdoor learning opportunities, with special attention to ensuring equitable tree distribution in lower-income and Title I schools that currently have less shade. The program would include long-term tree maintenance, strategic species selection, and the creation of dedicated staff positions to sustain the effort. It builds on existing pilot programs like Shade Trees for Schools and Fruit Trees for Schools, which have shown positive results but have been limited by short-term funding.

Maddy summaryThis bill requests the Department of Transportation to work with utility companies to create a statewide plan for addressing aging or abandoned utility poles and lines along Farrington Highway and other high-risk road corridors. The key provisions ask the department to organize assessments of infrastructure, develop repair or removal schedules, prioritize areas with high traffic or wildfire risks, and clarify who is responsible for funding and maintenance. The bill also directs the department to review existing laws regarding utility maintenance obligations and submit a detailed report to the Legislature by early 2027 outlining findings and recommendations.

Maddy summaryThis bill urges county planning and permitting agencies in Hawaii to deny all permit applications for the construction, expansion, or use of warehouses by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement for detaining individuals facing deportation. The resolution directs these agencies to refuse permits specifically for facilities intended to house large numbers of people in warehouse settings, citing concerns about mass incarceration and local resource strain. It is a non-binding recommendation that applies to county-level planning departments across Hawaii's major islands. The bill does not create new laws or penalties but instead asks local officials to exercise their permitting authority to block such facilities.

Maddy summaryThis House Concurrent Resolution urges state agencies that own or control land in West Maui to take immediate action to reduce wildfire risk in Lahaina and surrounding communities. The resolution specifically calls for aggressive vegetation management, fuel reduction, creation of defensible space, and improvement of emergency access routes on state properties. It references the 2023 Lahaina wildfires and ongoing concerns about unmanaged flammable grasses on public lands, noting that agencies like the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation and the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands hold significant land interests in the area. The measure aligns with existing state wildfire management efforts and emphasizes the responsibility of government landowners to proactively address fire hazards.

Maddy summaryThis bill asks the Hawaiʻi Civil Rights Commission to study whether current state anti-discrimination laws cover decisions made by computer algorithms and automated systems. The Commission would examine if existing rules can handle discrimination claims involving artificial intelligence used in hiring, housing, credit, and public benefits. The study will also look at legal challenges, whether new guidance is needed, and if a complaint process should be created for these types of cases. The Commission must submit its findings and any suggested laws to the Legislature before the 2027 session begins. This is a non-binding request for analysis rather than a law that changes rules immediately.

Maddy summaryThis bill urges the County of Maui to actively enforce existing fire code provisions related to brush clearance, fuel breaks, roadside vegetation management, and emergency access. It specifically targets large landowners and properties near residential areas, temporary housing sites, and evacuation corridors where overgrown vegetation poses wildfire risks. The resolution calls for the use of available enforcement tools such as inspections, fines, and citations to ensure timely compliance with rules requiring vegetation clearance within specified distances from structures. By prioritizing enforcement in high-risk zones, the bill aims to reduce wildfire hazards and protect both permanent and temporary housing communities in West Maui.

Maddy summaryThis bill requests the Hawaii Department of Taxation to conduct a comprehensive analysis of how corporations report their income, with a specific focus on foreign subsidiary structures. The analysis will examine different reporting methods, estimate tax revenue from companies with foreign subsidiaries, and compare Hawaii's current system with alternative approaches used by other states. The Department of Taxation must submit its findings to the Legislature by the end of 2026, providing data to help inform future fiscal planning without making any immediate policy changes.

Maddy summaryThis bill urges the Hawaii Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism to submit an annual Hawaii Genuine Progress Indicator (HI GPI) report to the state Legislature starting in 2027. The report must be delivered no later than thirty days before each regular legislative session and will provide a holistic assessment of the state's economic, social, and environmental well-being beyond traditional GDP metrics. The resolution specifies that the report should include an executive summary, detailed indicator results across economic, social, and environmental categories, methodology explanations, policy implications, and supporting data appendices. Additionally, the department is asked to make the report available online and send copies to relevant legislative committee chairs. This requirement aims to enhance legislative oversight and inform policy decisions with broader measures of societal progress.

Maddy summaryHCR 8 is a concurrent resolution urging Hawaiian counties to approve building permits for home safety modifications within 45 days of receiving a complete application. It specifically targets modifications (like ramps or grab bars) recommended by a healthcare provider for older adults (62+) or people with disabilities, when the county deems them essential for safety or health. The resolution does not create new law but seeks to reduce delays that contribute to fall risks and hospitalizations, emphasizing counties must act on complete applications within the 45-day timeframe.