Rep. Della Belatti

Maddy summaryHCR 13 is a procedural resolution requesting the State Auditor to assess the social and financial impacts of proposed mandatory health insurance coverage for traditional Native Hawaiian healing practices. It specifically directs the Auditor to evaluate House Bill 641 (2023), which would require insurers to cover services like lomilomi massage and la’au lapa’au offered through federally qualified health centers or Native Hawaiian Health Care Systems. The resolution complies with Hawaii Revised Statutes §23-51, mandating this assessment before any such coverage mandate can be enacted. This resolution itself does not create new coverage requirements but seeks data to inform future legislative decisions.

Maddy summaryThis House Resolution (HR 172) urges Hawaii's Governor to appoint members to the inactive Hawaii Health Authority to plan for transitioning to a state-run, single-payer health care system. The resolution directs the Authority to develop a plan for implementation after securing federal waivers to access Medicare, Medicaid, and Tricare funding, aiming to reduce administrative costs (estimated at 15% in hospitals and provider billing) that currently consume significant state health spending. If successful, the plan could lower overall state health care costs by up to 30%, freeing budget resources for community programs and improving pay for primary care doctors to address physician shortages. The Authority must submit a progress report to the Legislature by early 2026.

Maddy summaryThis Hawaii House Resolution (HR 190) is a symbolic expression of support for Taiwan's democratic values and security, not a binding law. It urges the U.S. government to endorse Taiwan's observer status in international organizations like the World Health Organization, International Civil Aviation Organization, and International Criminal Police Organization. The resolution highlights Hawaii's longstanding sister-state relationship with Taiwan (since 1993), Taiwan's role as a semiconductor leader critical to global supply chains, and Hawaii's agricultural trade with Taiwan. It specifically calls for advancing U.S.-Taiwan trade initiatives, including a Bilateral Trade Agreement. The resolution has no legal effect but formally expresses Hawaii's position to federal officials and Taiwan.

Maddy summaryHR 89 is a non-binding House Resolution (not a bill) passed by Hawaii's House of Representatives in 2025. It formally commits the legislature to uphold Hawaii's constitutional ban on nuclear power (Article XI, Section 8) and oppose nuclear energy development, citing risks like transport hazards, geological instability, and the state's existing clean energy goals under Act 97 (2015). The resolution directs certified copies to state agencies, county officials, and the Governor to align with Hawaii's nuclear-free policy. It does not create new laws or directly affect residents, but reinforces existing constitutional and policy positions.

Maddy summaryHCR 176 is a concurrent resolution urging the Governor to appoint members to reactivate the Hawaii Health Authority. The resolution directs the Authority to plan for a transition to a single-payer health care system that would cover all state residents, aiming to reduce administrative costs (estimated at 15% savings in hospital and physician billing) by simplifying payment systems. Implementation would require federal waivers to maintain Medicare, Medicaid, and Tricare funding, with the Authority required to report progress to the Legislature by early 2026. This resolution does not create new law but seeks to restart planning for a potential system change.

Maddy summaryHCR 93 is a formal statement (concurrent resolution) passed by Hawaii's House of Representatives, requesting the legislature commit to upholding the state's constitutional ban on nuclear power and prioritizing renewable energy. It does not create new laws but formally opposes nuclear energy due to safety risks (including transport hazards, geological instability, and unproven reactor technologies), cost concerns, and incompatibility with Hawaii's 100% renewable energy goal by 2045. The resolution directs officials - including the Governor and county mayors - to honor this commitment and focus resources on proven clean energy solutions like solar and wind. It specifically rejects nuclear energy as "carbon-free" (citing uranium mining emissions) and warns against unproven reactor types like Small Modular Reactors.

Maddy summaryHCR 181 is a non-binding resolution 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 to an opt-out model. The working group would include election officials, Honolulu Department of Customer Services, and advocacy groups like Common Cause Hawaii and the League of Women Voters. The resolution aims to address low voter turnout (32.1% in 2024) by exploring how an opt-out system could streamline registration and increase participation, with the group required to submit findings and recommendations to the Legislature by late 2025. This resolution does not change election law but seeks to evaluate potential improvements to voter registration processes.

Raises the minimum age to enter into marriage from sixteen to eighteen years of age. Repeals the authority of parents and the family court to consent to a minor's marriage. Repeals spousal cohabitation after the parties attain legal age as an exception for an annulment based on nonage. Repeals exemptions for sexual assault of a minor if the perpetrator is married to the minor. Makes conforming amendments. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Authorizes the Department of Education to establish a program to award high school diplomas to persons who did not receive a diploma as a result of compulsory or voluntary induction into the armed services and persons whose high school education was interrupted due to wartime practices during World War II, the Korean War, or the Vietnam War. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Establishes the Teacher Home Assistance Program to provide housing vouchers to certain eligible teachers. Appropriates funds out of the Teachers' Housing Revolving Fund. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD3)