Rep. Lauren Matsumoto

Maddy summaryThis is a procedural House Resolution (HR 1) amending leadership roles and committee assignments for the Hawaii House of Representatives during the 33rd Legislature (2026 session). It updates the Majority Caucus Leadership (e.g., Sean Quinlan as Majority Leader), Minority Caucus Leadership (e.g., Lauren Matsumoto as Minority Leader), and fills vacancies (e.g., Joe Gedeon for District 18, Daisy Hartfield for District 36). The resolution also revises committee chair, vice chair, and member assignments across all 10 standing committees, such as Agriculture & Food Systems (Cory Chun as Chair) and Finance (Chris Todd as Chair). This is an internal House organizational update with no policy changes, solely affecting House leadership structure and committee composition.

Authorizes neighborhood boards to solicit suggestions for capital improvement projects and operating budget priorities from residents. Requires each county mayor to consider and respond in writing to the suggestions for capital improvement projects and operating budget priorities submitted by each neighborhood board. Requires each county council to consider the neighborhood boards' recommendations, the mayor's responses, and county fiscal health in determining the final budget.

Establishes the Hawaii Covert Operations Against Smuggling and Transnational Threats program with the Department of Law Enforcement to combat smuggling of drugs and weapons and human trafficking.

Requires each public school to develop a disaster and attack preparedness plan by 1/1/2026 that includes shelter-in-place drills. Requires each school to maintain emergency goods sufficient for at least 48 hours in its facilities.

Exempts food and groceries from certain healthcare-related goods or services that were not the general excise tax. Expands general excise tax exemptions to include purchased under the Medicare, Medicaid, and TRICARE programs. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Maddy summaryHB 1441 creates a new criminal offense called "organized retail theft" for coordinated theft schemes targeting retail businesses. It sets specific penalties for this offense and establishes an organized retail theft task force to investigate and address such incidents. The bill directly affects retailers by providing new legal tools to combat large-scale theft operations and law enforcement agencies through the task force structure. Key provisions define the crime, outline penalties, and mandate the task force’s formation without specifying exact penalty levels.

Requires, and appropriates funds for, the Department of Education to establish a standards-based Water Safety Education Pilot Program. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Requires DAGS and DPS, in consultation with the legislature and other entities, to plan and implement security improvements at the state capitol. Requires DAGS to remove all parking meters from the capitol parking facility and reallocate parking in the capitol district. Appropriates funds.

Maddy summaryHB 1272 would establish the Hawaii Registered Teacher Apprenticeship Program, administered by the Hawaii Teacher Standards Board. The program provides a structured training path for new educators, combining paid on-the-job teaching experience with classroom instruction to support teacher development. It includes funding appropriations to cover program implementation and participant stipends. This bill directly affects aspiring teachers in Hawaii seeking an alternative certification route through work-based learning.

Maddy summaryHB 283 would eliminate the state individual income tax, meaning residents would no longer owe this tax on their earnings. It directly affects all state residents who currently pay individual income tax, including wage earners and those with investment income. The key provision is the complete removal of the tax, shifting the state's revenue focus away from personal income. The bill is currently pending in committee and has not yet advanced to a vote.