Rep. Gregg Takayama

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 summaryHCR 152 is a concurrent resolution requesting the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs to establish a Pharmacy Reimbursement Working Group. The group will study pharmacy reimbursement practices and propose legislation for the 2026 legislative session requiring health insurers to cover and fairly reimburse pharmacists for clinical services within their scope of practice. It specifies membership including pharmacy representatives, insurers, and the Board of Pharmacy, and directs the group to examine impacts on access to care and patient outcomes. The resolution does not enact policy but sets the stage for potential future legislation.

Maddy summaryThis concurrent resolution requests Hawaii's Attorney General to investigate whether crisis pregnancy centers operating in the state comply with patient privacy laws. It requires the Attorney General to submit findings and recommendations to the Legislature by January 2026. The resolution does not change existing laws but seeks to assess current compliance by these centers, which provide services like pregnancy testing while often promoting anti-abortion messaging.

Maddy summaryHouse Resolution 138 requests Hawaii's Attorney General to investigate whether crisis pregnancy centers operating in the state comply with patient privacy regulations. The resolution requires the Attorney General to report findings and recommendations, including potential legislative changes, to the Legislature by January 2026. This request follows studies indicating many crisis pregnancy centers - nonprofits that often provide services like pregnancy tests and ultrasounds while discouraging abortions - may collect personal health data without proper oversight. The investigation will assess compliance with existing privacy laws, not alter the centers' operations.

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.

Maddy summaryHR 167 is a House Resolution requesting the Hawaii Auditor to assess the social and financial impacts of a proposed mandate requiring health insurance coverage for continuous glucose monitors (CGMs). This procedural resolution does not create new law but follows Hawaii Revised Statutes §23-51, which requires such assessments before mandating coverage. It specifically directs the Auditor to evaluate House Bill 820 (2025 session), which proposes expanding insurance mandates to include CGMs for diabetes management. The Auditor must submit findings by 20 days before the 2026 legislative session. This resolution affects the Auditor's office and informs future legislative decisions on CGM coverage.

Maddy summaryHCR 148 is a Hawaii legislative resolution requesting the Department of Health to create a task force that will develop minimum professional standards for community health worker (CHW) training programs. The task force must include representatives from the Department of Health, community colleges, CHW associations, health organizations, and county-based CHWs. It will identify standards to ensure consistent training quality and report findings to the Legislature by early 2026. This resolution directly affects CHW training programs and the professionals who support community health access across Hawaii.

Maddy summaryHCR 114 is a concurrent resolution requesting the Executive Office on Aging to partner with the University of Hawaii at Manoa Center on Aging to establish a "Kupuna Workforce Innovation Hub." This hub would implement short-term strategies from Hawaii’s 2025 Strategic Plan to address challenges in the direct care workforce, such as low wages, training gaps, and recruitment issues affecting older adults’ care. The resolution specifically directs the hub to standardize training, meet with stakeholders to improve worker retention, and analyze workforce needs - directly impacting Hawaii’s long-term care workers and the aging population they serve. As a procedural request, it does not create new law but urges coordination to support existing workforce strategies.

Maddy summaryHCR 198 is a symbolic resolution passed by the Hawaii State House of Representatives expressing support for Taiwan's participation in international organizations and strengthening Hawaii-Taiwan ties. It urges the U.S. government to support Taiwan's observer status in the World Health Organization, International Civil Aviation Organization, and other bodies, while endorsing Hawaii's longstanding sister-state relationship with Taiwan. The resolution highlights Hawaii's agricultural exports to Taiwan, educational exchanges, and Taiwan's role as a key semiconductor supplier to the U.S. economy. As a concurrent resolution (not a binding law), it does not create new policy but formally states Hawaii's position in favor of democratic partnerships.

Maddy summaryHCR 12 is a resolution urging the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to provide federal funding for Honolulu's wastewater infrastructure upgrades. It specifically requests assistance through the EPA's Clean Water State Revolving Funds - part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law's $50+ billion water infrastructure investments - to support a $174 million project at the Sand Island Wastewater Treatment Plant. The project, scheduled for completion by October 2028, aims to improve the plant's efficiency, capacity, and waste management capabilities, directly benefiting Honolulu residents and supporting the city's growth. The resolution does not allocate funds but formally requests federal action to advance this local infrastructure initiative.