Rep. Garner Shimizu

Maddy summaryThis resolution urges Hawaii's legislature to require mandatory investigations into every child fatality or serious injury occurring while a child is under child welfare services. It cites multiple documented cases where prior safety warnings were ignored, leading to preventable harm - including deaths, abuse, and injuries after unsafe reunifications. The resolution does not create new laws but calls for systemic changes in how the Department of Human Services (DHS) handles safety concerns. It focuses on establishing a standardized inquiry process to prevent future failures, rather than addressing specific cases. (Note: As a concurrent resolution, it is a non-binding legislative request, not a law.)

Maddy summaryThis House Resolution (HR 142) requests Hawaii’s Department of Health to create a task force that will develop minimum professional standards for community health worker training programs. The task force must include representatives from the Department of Health, community colleges, county health workers, advocacy groups, and healthcare organizations, with a report due by January 2026. It directly affects community health workers and training programs across Hawaii by aiming to establish consistent quality standards for their education and practice. The resolution does not create new law but seeks to improve workforce readiness and health outcomes through standardized training.

Maddy summaryHCR 47 is a procedural resolution requesting Hawaii's consumer protection committees to form a working group. The group will study current practices around metal surgical implants (like gold or platinum from surgeries) that remain after cremation but aren't returned to families. It aims to develop standardized consent requirements for cremation contracts and family notification rules, addressing inconsistent mortuary practices. The working group must report by November 2025 with recommendations for future policy. This resolution does not change laws but initiates a study to improve transparency for families and mortuaries.

Maddy summaryThis bill (HCR 20) requests the Honolulu Auditor to audit the city's current permitting, inspection, and penalty processes for "monster homes" - oversized residential structures that bypass zoning and building codes. It directs the Auditor to identify flaws in these processes and recommend specific improvements, including stronger penalties (based on property value, demolition costs, or correction costs), clearer compliance deadlines, and better enforcement steps. The resolution does not change laws but requires a report with actionable recommendations to the Mayor, City Council, and Legislature by early 2026. The goal is to prevent future violations and protect neighborhood integrity through more effective oversight.

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 House Resolution (HR 74) requests the U.S. Transportation Secretary to initiate a performance review of the Honolulu Rail Transit Project under an existing federal funding agreement. It directly affects the project's management and federal funding, citing $12.45 billion in estimated costs (up from $5.5 billion) and a delayed completion timeline (now 2030) due to cost overruns and delays. The resolution references the Amended Full Funding Grant Agreement, which requires such reviews to assess whether satisfactory progress is being made. Hawaii has already provided $3.9 billion in state funding through tax surcharges to support the project. The resolution is procedural and does not alter project funding or timelines.

Maddy summaryThis is a symbolic House Resolution (not a bill), designating Hawaii as a "Purple Heart State" to honor military members who received the Purple Heart medal. It recognizes recipients of the Purple Heart - awarded for combat wounds, death in action, or prisoner-of-war status - and affirms Hawaii's support for veterans. The resolution has no legal effect or new policy changes; it merely expresses the state's appreciation through this designation. Certified copies will be sent to the Governor and Veterans' Services, but it does not alter benefits or create new obligations.

Maddy summaryThis is a House Resolution (HR 75), not a bill, urging the Hawaii Legislature to require mandatory inquiries into all child fatalities and serious injuries occurring within the state's child welfare system. It references numerous past cases (e.g., Reubyne, Peter Boy Kema, and Geanna Bradley) where systemic failures led to preventable harm, citing lawsuits and settlements. The resolution calls for the Legislature to mandate these reviews, rather than creating new legal requirements or policy changes. It serves as a formal request for oversight, not an enacted law.

Maddy summaryThis House Resolution (HR 76) urges the University of Hawaii to conduct a geological survey and geotechnical study of the Ewa Plain in Honouliuli. It addresses concerns about land instability caused by limestone dissolution, which has led to sinkholes, cracked sidewalks (like along Kualakai Parkway), sinking road sections, and recurring holes in parks and neighborhoods. The study aims to provide data for safely planning future infrastructure and construction in the area. As a non-binding resolution, it does not require the university to act but requests the study to inform local officials, planners, and residents.

Maddy summaryThis House Resolution (HR 104) requests the State Auditor to conduct biennial management and financial audits of Hawaii's Medicaid health care insurance contractors (managed care organizations). It directly affects these contractors, requiring them to cooperate with the Auditor by providing necessary records. The resolution mandates audits to assess financial integrity, compliance with laws/regulations, and contractor performance, with the first audit due within six months of July 1, 2025. The Auditor must submit findings to the Governor, Legislature, and Human Services Director by January 2027, and every two years thereafter. This follows past issues including Medicaid overpayments and a 2023 federal review identifying gaps in fraud prevention.