Maddy summaryThis Hawaii House Resolution urges the U.S. Congress to pass H.R. 2687, the End Kidney Deaths Act, which would create a federal tax credit system to encourage living kidney donations to strangers. The bill aims to address kidney disease disparities affecting rural and low-income communities by increasing the number of available organ donors through financial incentives for non-directed donations. The resolution highlights that kidney transplantation is more effective than dialysis for saving lives and reducing long-term healthcare costs, while noting that existing donor protections remain in place. This measure is presented as a bipartisan effort to expand access to life-saving transplants and reduce the number of patients waiting for kidneys.
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Maddy summaryThis House Resolution requests the Hawaii Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity to work with state and county agencies, community organizations, and Native Hawaiian leaders to create a comprehensive statewide food security strategy. The plan aims to address high rates of food insecurity affecting households, particularly children and marginalized communities, by assessing access barriers and recommending policy changes. Key requirements include reducing food costs, expanding access to nutritious and culturally appropriate foods, and aligning efforts with existing county food plans. The Department must submit the strategy to the Legislature by the beginning of the 2028 session to inform future policy and funding decisions.
Maddy summaryThis House Resolution requests the creation of a working group to examine staffing shortages and security contracting issues at Hawaii state courts. The bill identifies that the Department of Law Enforcement has taken on expanded duties without matching increases in Deputy Sheriff positions, leading to vacancies and increased reliance on private security contractors. The proposed working group will include leaders from the judiciary, law enforcement, human resources, finance, and the attorney general to evaluate solutions for staffing levels, recruitment, and reducing long-term dependence on private security contracts. The resolution aims to address fiscal risks and accountability concerns associated with replacing public security personnel with private contractors at state court facilities.
Maddy summaryThis House Resolution requests the Hawaii State Center for Nursing to compile a comprehensive list of recommended safe patient staffing ratios for all nursing specialties across healthcare settings and maintain a public repository of this information. The bill directs the center to make this repository available to the public no later than twenty days before the start of the 2027 legislative session. It also urges healthcare facilities to consider implementing these recommended staffing standards. The resolution is based on findings that safe staffing levels improve patient outcomes and support nurse retention, and it directs copies of the measure to state health officials and hospital executives.
Maddy summaryThis House Resolution formally endorses Waikiki as a World Surfing Reserve, recognizing the area's historical significance as the birthplace of surfing and its cultural importance to Native Hawaiian heritage. The resolution highlights Waikiki's unique combination of world-class surf breaks, ecological value, and economic impact as a major tourist destination, while noting threats like climate change and pollution. It directs copies of the resolution to local government officials and community leaders to encourage further protection efforts for the area's surfing ecosystem and natural resources.
Maddy summaryThis House Resolution asks the Hawaii Department of Education to create a committee to plan a new K-12 Hawaiian language immersion school in Kapolei. The committee would include education officials, teachers, community members, and parents to develop an action plan that addresses facility needs, teacher recruitment, and curriculum development. The resolution outlines a phased timeline to open kindergarten through second grade by the 2027-2028 school year, with additional grades added in subsequent years. It also requests that the Department of Education allocate initial faculty and administrative positions to support the program's launch.
Maddy summaryThis House Resolution urges Hawaii state agencies to create a statewide peer counselor program for high school students to address loneliness and social disconnection. The proposed program would involve collaboration between the Department of Education, Department of Health, and Office of Wellness and Resilience to train students in active listening, ethical boundaries, and culturally responsive practices. Student peer counselors would serve as trained points of connection within schools, promoting belonging and helping identify students experiencing isolation while referring them to licensed mental health professionals when needed. The resolution recommends implementing the program in phases starting with pilot programs in select schools and includes the Hawaii State Youth Commission in program development and evaluation.
Maddy summaryThis bill is a non-binding request asking the University of Hawaiʻi Board of Regents to consider renaming Leeward Community College to Puʻuloa Community College. The proposal aims to reflect the cultural and historical significance of the Puʻuloa area on Oʻahu, which is known for its traditional fishponds and deep Hawaiian heritage. If adopted, the change would require official approval from the Board of Regents, which has authority over university operations, and would involve consulting with campus stakeholders and the broader community. The resolution does not mandate the name change but formally encourages the Board to evaluate the request as part of its decision-making process.
Maddy summaryThis bill asks the Hawaii Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism to submit an annual report on the Hawaii Genuine Progress Indicator (HI GPI) to the state legislature, starting in 2027. The report would provide a comprehensive assessment of the state's economic, social, and environmental well-being using metrics that go beyond traditional measures like GDP. The bill requires the report to include an executive summary, detailed indicator results across economic, social, and environmental categories, methodology explanations, policy implications, and supporting data tables. The department must also make the report available online and send copies to relevant legislative committee chairs.
Maddy summaryThis House Resolution urges the 'Aha Moku Advisory Committee to follow its adopted Rules of Practice, comply with Hawaii's Sunshine Law for public transparency, and conduct a performance review of its Executive Director. The measure directly affects the Advisory Committee, which advises the state on Native Hawaiian traditional resource management practices and receives annual public funding. Key provisions call for the committee to hold properly noticed public meetings, maintain administrative records like agendas and minutes, and establish consistent policies for managerial accountability. The resolution does not create new laws but instead requests the committee to fulfill its existing statutory duties and improve oversight of its operations.