Rep. Shirley Templo

Maddy summaryHCR 6 is a Hawaii legislative resolution affirming that hospitals must provide life-saving emergency care - including abortion services when medically necessary - to stabilize pregnant patients under the federal Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act (EMTALA). It addresses confusion caused by recent shifts in federal guidance about EMTALA's requirements, particularly following the 2025 rescission of federal affirmations supporting emergency abortion care. The resolution urges all Hawaii hospitals, including religiously affiliated ones, to uphold EMTALA's standards without delay or denial of care. It does not create new law but reinforces Hawaii's commitment to ensuring pregnant patients receive timely emergency treatment as required by federal statute.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a House Resolution that asks health maintenance organizations in Hawaii to follow state laws requiring them to pay medical claims on time. It highlights that current enforcement of these payment rules is weak and often only happens after complaints are filed. The resolution directs state agencies to ensure HMOs comply with the Clean Claims Statute, which mandates payment within thirty days for paper claims or fifteen days for electronic submissions. The measure aims to protect healthcare providers from financial strain and ensure patients in rural and underserved areas maintain access to care.

Maddy summaryThis bill requests that Hawaii's Departments of Health, Human Services, and Education create a coordinated plan to address fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD), which affect individuals exposed to alcohol during pregnancy. The plan would explore establishing a statewide FASD coordinator, strategies for accessing federal funding, and methods to improve awareness and treatment services across the state. Departments are asked to include recommendations for training healthcare and education professionals, reducing reliance on foster care and the criminal justice system, and lowering economic barriers to early intervention. The departments must submit their findings and any proposed legislation to the Legislature by December 15, 2026.

Maddy summaryThis House Resolution formally recognizes 2026 as the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists in Hawaii, aligning with a United Nations designation. The measure highlights the ecological, economic, and cultural importance of Hawaii's rangelands, which cover over one million acres and support ranchers who contribute more than $50 million annually to the state economy. It encourages state agencies, the University of Hawaii, and local organizations to promote education and research on rangeland management while recommending policies that conserve these lands and protect ranchers' livelihoods. The resolution is transmitted to key state and local officials, including the Governor, Board of Agriculture and Biosecurity, University of Hawaii President, and county mayors.

Maddy summaryThis bill requests the Hawaii State Energy Office to form a working group to study the potential impacts of large data centers on the state's electric utilities, ratepayers, natural resources, and climate goals. The working group will include representatives from state agencies, electric utilities, consumer advocates, and environmental organizations to examine how these energy-intensive facilities could affect Hawaii's isolated power grids and water resources. The group will evaluate policy options such as ensuring data center developers pay for necessary grid upgrades and protecting existing customers from higher utility bills. This study is proactive, preparing Hawaii for potential future data center proposals while considering the state's constitutional duty to protect natural resources and meet its renewable energy targets.

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 urges the Hawaii Department of Education and Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity to jointly create a Farmer-to-Institution Coordination Plan aligned with the AINA Kitchen Network rollout. The plan would identify specific crops and products needed by the new regional kitchens, assess gaps between current local production and future demand, and outline strategies to help farmers scale their operations through infrastructure investment and multi-year contracts. The resolution also requires the plan to include a timeline with measurable milestones that match the phased construction schedule of the AINA Kitchen Network. This initiative aims to address systemic procurement challenges and ensure local farmers can meet the growing demand for locally sourced school meals.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a House resolution that urges the Governor of Hawaii to evaluate food insecurity conditions and create a statewide food security response plan. It directly affects state agencies, local communities, and residents concerned with food access and affordability. The resolution asks the Governor to coordinate efforts across multiple departments, identify barriers to local food production, and submit a progress report to the Legislature by early 2027. As a non-binding resolution, it does not change laws but formally requests executive action on food security issues.

Maddy summaryThis bill requests the Hawaii Departments of Land and Natural Resources and Education to create a permanent, statewide program for planting and maintaining trees on public school campuses. The initiative aims to address rising campus temperatures and improve equity by ensuring schools in lower-income areas receive adequate shade and cooling. Key provisions include establishing long-term funding, planning for tree maintenance, and selecting species that provide durable climate and health benefits. The resolution also supports creating dedicated staff positions to manage and sustain the collaborative effort.