Rep. Greggor Ilagan

Maddy summaryThis House Resolution requests Hawaii's Department of Labor and Industrial Relations to study creating a state-level "Hawaii Workforce Excellence Award Program" for craftspersons, modeled after France's Meilleur Ouvrier de France. The study would assess how to adapt the French model to Hawaii's context, identify key industries to include, and identify cost-effective implementation methods. The Department must submit findings and recommendations, including potential legislation, to the Legislature by early 2026. The resolution does not establish the program but directs a formal study to explore its feasibility.

Maddy summaryThis House Resolution requests Hawaii's Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism to sponsor a Michelin Guide for the state's restaurants. It directly affects Hawaii's restaurants, chefs, and culinary workforce by seeking to align with Michelin's global rating system, which currently does not cover Hawaii. The resolution cites Hawaii's growing culinary scene and a 2022 workforce report identifying culinary staff as high-demand, hard-to-fill positions. It aims to boost restaurant standards, attract diners, and support workforce development through Michelin's recognition. (Note: This is a non-binding resolution, not a law, so it requests action but does not mandate it.)

Maddy summaryThis concurrent resolution (HCR 118) requests Hawaii's Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism to sponsor a Michelin Guide for restaurants statewide. It directly affects Hawaii's restaurants and culinary industry, which currently lack Michelin Guide coverage despite having Michelin-starred chefs and a growing food tourism scene. The resolution asks the department to initiate this sponsorship, noting Michelin's global recognition and its potential to boost restaurant standards, attract diners, and support workforce development in Hawaii's culinary sector. The resolution is a non-binding request, not a law, and does not create new funding or requirements.

Maddy summaryHR 152 establishes the "Task Force for SPEED" (Simplifying Permitting for Enhanced Economic Development) to study and recommend ways to speed up state and local permitting for housing, commercial, and industrial projects. The task force, composed of state agency representatives (including Business Development, Water Resources, and Housing Finance), county planning departments, and congressional liaisons, must report findings and potential legislation by late 2025. This resolution does not change existing laws but creates a study group to identify bottlenecks in permitting processes affecting developers and local governments. It is purely procedural, with no immediate policy changes, and requires a final report to the Legislature before the 2026 session.

Requires the Hawaii Technology Development Corporation to prioritize funding for certain Hawaii-based businesses. Appropriates funds to assist in the development and promotion of Hawaii-manufactured products through the INNOVATE Hawaii program. Requires reports to the Legislature. Effective 7/1/3000. (SD1)

Transfers the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts and the King Kamehameha Celebration Commission from the Department of Accounting and General Services to the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism. Transfers the authority held by the Comptroller over the Works of Art Special Fund to the Director of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism. Appropriates funds for positions within the Administrative Services Office of the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism and the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts. Effective 7/1/3000. (SD1)

Maddy summaryThis is a symbolic resolution (not a law), designating January 11-17, 2026, as "Strong Start, Strong Economy Week" in Hawaii. It does not create new policies or affect any individuals or programs. The resolution includes background statements about ALICE household thresholds and early childhood development to justify the recognition. It requests specific House representatives to collaborate with organizations during the week to discuss family stability and economic impacts, but the resolution itself has no binding effect.

Maddy summaryHCR 76 establishes the "Task Force for SPEED" (Simplifying Permitting for Enhanced Economic Development) to study and streamline Hawaii's state and local permitting processes. The task force, composed of state agency representatives (including the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism, and the Land Use Commission) and county planning departments, will identify ways to speed up approvals for housing, commercial, and industrial projects delayed by current permitting systems. It must submit findings and recommendations, including potential legislation, to the Legislature by October 2025, with the task force dissolving by June 2027. This resolution does not change existing laws but creates a formal process to coordinate agencies and address permitting bottlenecks.

Maddy summaryThis House Resolution (HR 112) requests the Hawaii Community Development Authority (HCDA) to begin planning a Health Tech Hub on Lot C in Kakaako, Honolulu. It directs the HCDA to consult with the University of Hawaii medical schools, Hawaii Technology Development Corporation, and other health/tech entities during planning. The resolution requires the HCDA to submit a conceptual plan report to the Legislature by January 2026, including any proposed legislation needed for the hub's development. The hub aims to accelerate health care technology adoption and support Hawaii’s skilled health care workforce growth.

Maddy summaryHouse Resolution 113 requests Hawaii's Office of Elections to form a working group to study transitioning the state's automatic voter registration system from an "opt-in" to an "opt-out" model. The working group, including election officials, transportation representatives, and community advocates like Common Cause Hawaii, must submit recommendations by December 2025. This study aims to evaluate how an opt-out system could streamline registration and potentially increase voter participation, building on Hawaii's existing 2021 automatic registration framework.