Rep. Julie Reyes Oda

Maddy summaryThis House Resolution requests the State Building Code Council to update Hawaii's building code to allow "point access block" construction for residential buildings up to six stories. Point access blocks are compact designs where units center around a single stairway/core (instead of requiring double-loaded corridors), aiming to improve natural lighting, ventilation, and floor plan flexibility while reducing construction costs. The resolution cites Honolulu's existing allowance for this design and argues it supports efficient land use and housing supply without compromising fire safety, as modern sprinkler systems reduce historical fire risks.

Maddy summaryHCR 36 is a procedural resolution requesting Hawaii's Auditor to assess the social and financial impacts of a proposed mandate requiring health insurance to cover colorectal cancer screenings. It specifically directs the Auditor to evaluate House Bill 556 (2025), which aims to expand existing insurance mandates to include these screenings. The resolution requires the Auditor to submit a report by January 2026, detailing potential effects on costs, access, and health outcomes as mandated by Hawaii Revised Statutes §23-51. This assessment is a legal prerequisite before the legislature can consider implementing the screening coverage mandate.

Maddy summaryThis House Resolution (HR 36) encourages all counties in Hawaii to develop their own biosecurity plans focused on local invasive species threats. It does not create new laws but urges counties to prioritize their unique needs - such as climate, agriculture, or transportation risks - in creating these plans. The resolution also recommends counties collaborate with each other, the state Department of Agriculture, and the Hawaii Invasive Species Council. It is a non-binding recommendation, not a mandate.

Maddy summaryHR 135 is a House Resolution requesting a working group to study the feasibility of creating a Hawaii Cultural Trust. The working group, composed of state officials and cultural representatives, will examine potential funding sources, tax incentives, governance structures, and impacts on cultural institutions. It will specifically evaluate how a trust could support Hawaii's cultural preservation and promotion through sustainable funding models. The group must submit findings and recommendations, including possible legislation, to the Legislature by early 2026. This resolution does not create the trust but initiates a study to determine if one would be viable.

Maddy summaryThis House Resolution (HR 145) requests the Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) to submit a detailed report on its lease enforcement procedures. The report must include DLNR's policies for monitoring lease compliance, how it assesses lessee violations (including for federal agencies), a summary of the 10 most recent lease revocations or non-renewals, and the total number of such cases. DLNR must submit the report to the Legislature by January 2026, including recommendations for improving enforcement transparency. This is a procedural request for information, not a policy change.

Maddy summaryThis House Resolution (HR 26) requests Hawaii's congressional delegation to ask the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to address unequal export rules for Hawaiian agricultural products. It highlights that Hawaii faces longer delays than other states in getting USDA approval to export items like cut flowers and produce, as its petitions for new exports are treated the same as foreign countries' requests and often deprioritized. This delay severely restricts Hawaiian growers' ability to sell their goods, forcing them to wait years or decades for authorization. The resolution does not change laws but formally asks Congress to advocate for Hawaii's agricultural sector to achieve parity in USDA export processes.

Maddy summaryHCR 141 is a non-binding request asking the Hawaii Legislature to establish a working group to study whether creating a Hawaii Cultural Trust is feasible. The working group, including state agency leaders (like the Business and Tourism Director and State Foundation on Culture and Arts Director) and external partners (such as Native Hawaiian organizations and cultural nonprofits), will examine funding models, tax incentives, and legal structures for such a trust. It will specifically assess how a trust could support cultural preservation, arts programs, and Hawaii’s cultural institutions through sustainable funding. The group must submit recommendations, including potential legislation, to the Legislature by early 2026, but the resolution itself does not create the trust or allocate funds.

Maddy summaryThis House Resolution (HR 106) requests the State Auditor to audit the Hawaii Department of Education's capital improvement project finances. It directs the audit to examine how funds were spent since 2021, including project prioritization, to address $2 billion in unspent capital funds and ensure efficient repairs for aging school facilities (over 20% of schools are 100+ years old). The Auditor must submit findings and recommendations to the Legislature by January 2026. The resolution does not allocate new funds or change policies, but seeks transparency in existing spending.

Maddy summaryHCR 110 is a concurrent resolution requesting the State Auditor to audit the Hawaii Department of Education's capital improvement project finances since 2021. The audit will examine how $1 billion in capital funds was spent (received during 2021-2023), including project prioritization, and address $2 billion in unspent funds as of January 2024. The Auditor must submit a report to the Legislature by February 2026, detailing findings and potential recommendations to improve transparency and efficiency in school facility repairs.

Maddy summaryHCR 151 is a concurrent resolution requesting the Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) to submit a detailed report on its lease enforcement procedures for public lands. The resolution asks DLNR to document its monitoring processes, how it assesses lessee compliance (including with federal agencies), the reasons for the 10 most recent lease revocations or non-renewals, and the total number of such cases. This report must include specific details about enforcement actions, violation histories, and renewal criteria for all lessees. The request aims to increase transparency around how DLNR enforces lease terms, particularly regarding environmental protection and contractual obligations. DLNR must submit the report to the Legislature by 20 days before the 2026 session.