Rep. Garner Shimizu

Maddy summaryThis resolution urges Hawaii's Department of Law Enforcement, City and County of Honolulu, and Honolulu Police Department to partner with local businesses to create safe disposal programs for illegal fireworks. It aims to help residents safely discard unused fireworks (avoiding home storage or trash disposal) following a deadly 2024 explosion and a prior disposal event that collected over 1,300 pounds from 121 residents. The resolution does not create new laws but encourages regular disposal events and interagency collaboration. It directly affects Honolulu residents handling fireworks and the targeted city/state agencies.

Maddy summaryHR 164 is a House Resolution (not a bill) urging the Hawaii State House of Representatives to amend its internal rules. It specifically proposes removing committee chairs' unilateral power to defer bills without a full committee vote, clarifying when "recommit" can be used to prevent legislative stalling, and prohibiting members from calling points of order during others' speeches. These changes aim to strengthen democratic processes by reducing power concentration and ensuring members can vote on substantive issues. The resolution directly affects how House members conduct committee and floor proceedings.

Maddy summaryHR 132 is a House resolution requesting the Legislative Reference Bureau to study adopting fiscal notes - financial impact summaries for bills - into Hawaii's legislative process. Currently, Hawaii lawmakers vote on bills without knowing their financial costs, unlike 44 states that require such summaries. The study must examine implementation methods (statute vs. rules), associated costs, public accessibility, barriers like staffing, and lessons from states like Colorado and Texas, with a report due before Hawaii's 2026 legislative session. This resolution does not change current law but seeks to inform potential future policy.

Maddy summaryThis resolution urges Honolulu to revise property tax rules for kupuna (Hawaiian elders aged 60+ on fixed incomes). It proposes two key changes: basing property assessments on original purchase price (not current market value) with a 2% annual increase, and capping annual property taxes at 3% of the owner’s income. The resolution does not create new law but asks Honolulu to consider these adjustments to reduce tax burdens for elderly residents facing rising costs. It is a non-binding request directed to the city and county government.

Maddy summaryThis bill requests Honolulu's Auditor to audit the city's permitting, inspection, and penalty processes for "monster homes" (oversized homes violating zoning and building codes). The Auditor must identify flaws and recommend specific improvements, including process amendments, penalty adjustments (based on property value, demolition costs, or correction costs), compliance time limits, enforcement strategies, and follow-up procedures. The report must be submitted to Honolulu's leadership and the state legislature by early 2026. This directly affects the city's planning department, enforcement officers, and property owners constructing non-compliant large homes. The bill focuses on systemic review and policy recommendations, not on defining or condemning "monster homes" themselves.

Maddy summaryHCR 159 is a Hawaii House concurrent resolution urging the U.S. Congressional Pacific Islands Caucus to reintroduce and advocate for the "Engage the Pacific Act." It does not create new law but formally requests the Caucus revive a previously considered bill (the Engage the Pacific Act) that would require the Secretary of State to establish a Pacific civil society engagement committee, improve U.S. communications strategy in the region, and fund education scholarships for Pacific Islanders. The resolution highlights the Act's goals of strengthening U.S. partnerships with Pacific Island nations amid regional security challenges and sovereignty threats. This is a symbolic legislative request with no direct legal effect or impact on specific constituents.

Maddy summaryThis House Concurrent Resolution (HCR) requests the City and County of Honolulu to promote and expand its existing Neighborhood Security Watch Program. The resolution specifically asks the city to establish a pilot program providing minimal funding - such as quarterly mailers for participating homes and support for regular meetings - to active community groups already operating under the volunteer-run program. It directs the Honolulu Police Department to oversee the pilot funding and requests potential expansion to other communities if the pilot proves successful. The resolution does not create new law but urges the city to enhance an existing program that currently involves approximately 12,000 residents across Oahu.

Maddy summaryHR 171 is a House Resolution urging Hawaii's Attorney General to investigate whether property management software with algorithms is being used to set or fix rental prices in the state's housing market. It requests an examination of how such software collects pricing data, recommends rent levels, potentially enables landlord collusion, and affects housing affordability. The resolution does not create new laws but asks the Attorney General to report findings - including whether these practices contribute to rising rents - by early 2026. It directly affects the Attorney General's office and aims to inform future legislative action on Hawaii's housing crisis.

Maddy summaryHCR 175 is a concurrent resolution urging Hawaii's Attorney General to investigate whether property management software using algorithms is enabling price-fixing or anti-competitive practices in the state's rental housing market. It specifically directs the Attorney General to examine how such software collects pricing data, recommends rent levels, and potentially facilitates collusion among landlords. The resolution requires a report detailing whether these practices contribute to rising rents and recommendations for addressing them, due to the Legislature by early 2026. This resolution does not change laws but seeks factual findings to inform future policy on Hawaii's severe housing affordability crisis.

Maddy summaryThis is a non-binding resolution (not a bill) passed by Hawaii's state legislature. It asks the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to use existing federal water infrastructure funds - specifically the Clean Water State Revolving Fund - to support Honolulu's $174 million wastewater plant upgrade project at Sand Island. The resolution cites the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law's $50+ billion water infrastructure investment as the funding source and notes the project aims to improve plant capacity and environmental outcomes by 2028. It directly affects Honolulu's wastewater treatment infrastructure and seeks federal assistance through established EPA programs.