Rep. Garner Shimizu

Maddy summaryThis bill requests the Hawaii Attorney General and State Auditor to conduct a comprehensive audit of nonprofit organizations that receive state funding for homelessness-related services. The audit will examine financial records, performance outcomes, and compliance with state laws, focusing initially on organizations in Honolulu before expanding statewide. Key areas of review include how funds are spent, executive compensation levels, service effectiveness, and the accuracy of reported client data. The resolution aims to ensure transparency and fiscal responsibility in the use of public funds dedicated to addressing homelessness.

Maddy summaryThis bill urges the Hawaii Department of Education to provide students with information on how to preregister to vote before they reach voting age. It specifically requests that schools distribute materials on voter eligibility, registration procedures, and opportunities to volunteer at voter service centers. The resolution also asks the department to designate the last two weeks of September as a dedicated period for voter registration activities and to ensure resources are available for students with disabilities. This measure is non-binding and does not mandate any specific actions, instead serving as a formal recommendation to the education department.

Maddy summaryThis bill requests the Hawaiʻi Health Systems Corporation's East Hawaiʻi Regional Health Care System to conduct a feasibility study on establishing a rural health clinic or similar access point to serve the Volcano community. The study will examine potential locations, operational models such as part-time providers or mobile clinics, staffing needs, costs, and partnership opportunities with local organizations. The bill aims to address the community's lack of direct primary care access and emergency stabilization capacity, which are compounded by geographic isolation and environmental hazards. If the study finds it viable, the resolution directs the health system to submit findings and recommendations to the Legislature by early 2027.

Maddy summaryThis bill urges the Hawaii Department of Education to allow local communities to use outdoor school facilities like playgrounds and sports fields during non-school hours, including weekends. It aims to increase access to safe recreational spaces for residents, particularly in areas where parks are scarce, by encouraging schools to share their grounds with the public. The resolution asks the department to explore ways to facilitate this shared use while ensuring it does not interfere with regular school operations. It also calls for the department to engage with community stakeholders to develop practical plans for expanding access to these public resources.

Maddy summaryThis bill requests the Attorney General and State Auditor in Hawaii to conduct a comprehensive audit of nonprofit organizations that receive state funding for homelessness-related services. The audit will examine financial records, performance outcomes, and compliance with state laws, focusing first on organizations in Honolulu before expanding statewide. Key areas of review include how public funds are spent, executive compensation relative to program costs, housing placement success rates, and the accuracy of reported service data. The resolution aims to ensure transparency and fiscal responsibility in the use of taxpayer money for homelessness assistance programs.

Maddy summaryThis bill asks Hawaii's Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism to study how to help more people living in Hawaii work remotely for companies based outside the state. The study would examine ways to make it easier for out-of-state employers to hire Hawaii residents by clarifying tax rules, simplifying registration requirements, and ensuring worker protections are maintained. The department must also consider policies that prioritize opportunities for long-term Hawaii residents and submit a report with findings and recommendations to the Legislature by early 2027. This is a non-binding resolution that directs an evaluation rather than creating immediate new laws or regulations.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes an investigating committee to examine the Kauhale Initiative and related housing projects created under emergency proclamations to address homelessness in Hawaii. The committee will review the management and performance of these projects, including financial records, procurement processes, contractor qualifications, and health and safety concerns. It is designed to follow up on an ongoing state audit that has been delayed due to missing documents and to ensure accountability for the millions of dollars in state funds allocated to these initiatives. The committee may continue operating during the legislative interim if the audit reveals mismanagement or fails to adequately address performance questions.

Maddy summaryThis bill urges the Governor of Hawaii to reconsider the decision not to allow the state to participate in the Federal Education Freedom Tax Credit Program. The program would provide federal tax credits of up to $1,700 for donations to scholarship organizations, which could then be used to fund scholarships for K-12 students from low- and middle-income households. By opting in, Hawaii would enable families to use these funds for private school tuition, tutoring, and other educational support services without reducing public school funding. The resolution requests that the state designate local scholarship organizations to receive donations, thereby expanding educational options for Hawaii students.

Maddy summaryThis bill urges Hawaii's Department of Education to create a plan for transitioning its public school buses to electric vehicles. The resolution cites existing state laws requiring greenhouse gas reduction and energy independence, while highlighting benefits observed in other districts like Oakland, including lower operating costs, improved air quality, and enhanced disaster response capabilities. The Department of Education is asked to collaborate with stakeholders, study the Oakland model, and submit a report with recommendations to the Legislature by early 2027. As a concurrent resolution, this document serves as a formal recommendation rather than a law that directly mandates funding or immediate changes.

Maddy summaryThis House Resolution urges all businesses and commercial establishments operating on Department of Hawaiian Home Lands property to display a portrait of Prince Jonah Kūhiō Kalanianaʻole in a visible and prominent location. The resolution highlights Prince Kūhiō's significant contributions to Native Hawaiian history, including his role in establishing the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act, which set aside land for Native Hawaiian homesteads. While the measure does not mandate compliance, it formally requests that these businesses honor the legacy of the Hawaiian statesman who served as a territorial delegate and championed Native Hawaiian land rights. The resolution is intended to promote awareness of Prince Kūhiō's accomplishments and ensure his image is recognized within the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands facilities.