Rep. Della Belatti

Maddy summaryHCR 150 is a concurrent resolution requesting Hawaii's Department of Taxation to establish a task force to study implementing a surcharge on vacant residential properties. The task force, including the Taxation Director, Business Development Director, and Housing Finance Executive Director, must research the impacts and implementation of a surcharge similar to provisions in HB 489 (which proposes a tax on homes vacant 180+ days annually). The group must submit findings and recommendations to the Legislature by September 2025, ahead of the 2026 session. This resolution does not enact the surcharge but seeks research to inform future policy.

Maddy summaryHR 176 is a House Resolution (not a bill) requesting Hawaii's State Office of Elections to form a working group to study changing the state's automatic voter registration system from an opt-in model (where voters must actively register) to an opt-out model (where registration is automatic unless declined). The working group, including election officials and advocacy representatives, must recommend changes and submit a report to the Legislature by 2025. This resolution directly affects Hawaii voters and election administrators by proposing a potential shift in how voter registration is handled. It does not enact new law but seeks to evaluate a policy change aimed at improving registration convenience and participation.

Maddy summaryHCR 147 is a concurrent resolution urging Hawaii's Department of Health, Attorney General, and Department of Law Enforcement to coordinate an enforcement plan addressing illegal dispensaries selling cannabis labeled as hemp. It directly affects these state agencies and targets the surge of over 84 illegal operators selling cannabis (with THC over 0.3%) disguised as hemp, often near schools and in high-traffic areas like Waikiki. The resolution calls for interagency coordination to address gaps in enforcement, as current rules lack specific regulations for these illicit operations, which offer unregulated products without age checks or medical requirements. It does not create new laws but requests existing agencies use their authority under Hawaii Revised Statutes and administrative rules to combat this issue.

Maddy summaryThis House Resolution (HR 141) urges Hawaii's Department of Health, Attorney General, and Department of Law Enforcement to create a coordinated enforcement plan addressing illegal dispensaries selling cannabis labeled as hemp. It directly affects state agencies responsible for public health and safety, noting over 84 such operations are selling unregulated cannabis near schools, airports, and residential areas without age checks or medical requirements. The resolution highlights that hemp (≤0.3% THC) and cannabis (over 0.3% THC) are chemically distinct, but illegal operators falsely label high-THC products as hemp, risking contaminated products. It references existing Hawaii laws (HRS Chapter 328G, HRS Chapter 11-37) but states no specific statutes currently cover these illegal operations. The resolution is non-binding and focuses on closing enforcement gaps, not creating new regulations.

Maddy summaryThis concurrent resolution requests Hawaii's Attorney General to investigate whether crisis pregnancy centers operating in the state comply with patient privacy laws. It requires the Attorney General to submit findings and recommendations to the Legislature by January 2026. The resolution does not change existing laws but seeks to assess current compliance by these centers, which provide services like pregnancy testing while often promoting anti-abortion messaging.

Maddy summaryHR 144 is a House Resolution requesting Hawaii's Department of Taxation to create a task force to study implementing a tax surcharge on vacant residential properties. The task force would examine how a surcharge - modeled after proposed House Bill 489 - could incentivize property owners to occupy or rent out vacant homes, potentially increasing housing availability and generating revenue for affordable housing programs. The resolution specifies the task force must include representatives from tax, business, and housing agencies, and submit findings by late 2025 to inform future legislation. This is a procedural step to research policy options, not an immediate law.

Maddy summaryHouse Resolution 138 requests Hawaii's Attorney General to investigate whether crisis pregnancy centers operating in the state comply with patient privacy regulations. The resolution requires the Attorney General to report findings and recommendations, including potential legislative changes, to the Legislature by January 2026. This request follows studies indicating many crisis pregnancy centers - nonprofits that often provide services like pregnancy tests and ultrasounds while discouraging abortions - may collect personal health data without proper oversight. The investigation will assess compliance with existing privacy laws, not alter the centers' operations.

Maddy summaryHR 171 is a House Resolution urging Hawaii's Attorney General to investigate whether property management software with algorithms is being used to set or fix rental prices in the state's housing market. It requests an examination of how such software collects pricing data, recommends rent levels, potentially enables landlord collusion, and affects housing affordability. The resolution does not create new laws but asks the Attorney General to report findings - including whether these practices contribute to rising rents - by early 2026. It directly affects the Attorney General's office and aims to inform future legislative action on Hawaii's housing crisis.

Maddy summaryHCR 175 is a concurrent resolution urging Hawaii's Attorney General to investigate whether property management software using algorithms is enabling price-fixing or anti-competitive practices in the state's rental housing market. It specifically directs the Attorney General to examine how such software collects pricing data, recommends rent levels, and potentially facilitates collusion among landlords. The resolution requires a report detailing whether these practices contribute to rising rents and recommendations for addressing them, due to the Legislature by early 2026. This resolution does not change laws but seeks factual findings to inform future policy on Hawaii's severe housing affordability crisis.

Maddy summaryHCR 198 is a symbolic resolution passed by the Hawaii State House of Representatives expressing support for Taiwan's participation in international organizations and strengthening Hawaii-Taiwan ties. It urges the U.S. government to support Taiwan's observer status in the World Health Organization, International Civil Aviation Organization, and other bodies, while endorsing Hawaii's longstanding sister-state relationship with Taiwan. The resolution highlights Hawaii's agricultural exports to Taiwan, educational exchanges, and Taiwan's role as a key semiconductor supplier to the U.S. economy. As a concurrent resolution (not a binding law), it does not create new policy but formally states Hawaii's position in favor of democratic partnerships.