Rep. Diamond Garcia

Maddy summaryHR 155 is a Hawaii state House resolution urging the Peace Corps to immediately establish a mission in the Marshall Islands. It calls for coordination with U.S. agencies (like the Department of Defense and USAID) and international organizations to address the Marshall Islands' health challenges (including cancer from nuclear testing), food insecurity (90% imported food, high obesity/diabetes rates), and economic reliance on U.S. Compact funding. The resolution does not create new law but expresses legislative support for renewed Peace Corps engagement, noting their prior service (1966-1996) and current needs like improving education (only 9% college graduation).

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 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 summaryThis House Resolution (HR 161) urges Hawaii's Department of Accounting and General Services and Department of Land and Natural Resources to remove a parking lot and paid parking area on the grounds of Iolani Palace - the only royal palace in the U.S. where a monarch lived. It requests a cost analysis and proposed legislation by late 2025 to eliminate the parking, followed by restoring the grounds to reflect their historical landscape using archival photos. The resolution directly affects the management of Iolani Palace, a site of cultural significance to Native Hawaiians and a major tourist attraction. As a non-binding resolution, it does not create new law but formally requests specific actions to preserve the palace's historical integrity.

Maddy summaryThis House Resolution (HR 22) requests the City and County of Honolulu to promote and expand its Neighborhood Security Watch Program. It specifically asks for a pilot program providing minimal funding for quarterly mailers to households and meeting costs in active communities, with oversight by the Honolulu Police Department. If successful, the pilot would be expanded to other neighborhoods. The resolution does not mandate funding but formally requests the city to support this volunteer-run program, which currently involves about 12,000 residents across Oahu.

Maddy summaryHCR 84 is a House Concurrent Resolution requesting the State Auditor conduct an audit of funds appropriated to the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands (DHHL) under Act 279 (2022). It specifically targets the $600 million allocated to eliminate the DHHL waitlist (over 28,700 native Hawaiian beneficiaries as of 2022), following DHHL's failure to submit its required 2024 Annual Activity Report. The audit will verify how the funds were spent, including the $193.7 million expended by early 2025 and the use of the full appropriation for projects targeting 7,500 homes/lots over five years. This procedural resolution focuses on accountability for existing funds, not new policy changes.

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.

Maddy summaryThis is a House Resolution (not a bill), urging the Congressional Pacific Islands Caucus to reintroduce and advocate for the "Engage the Pacific Act." It does not create new law but requests action on a previously proposed measure. The resolution cites that the 118th Congress considered this Act (which would require the State Department to establish a civil society engagement committee, develop a Pacific communications strategy, and support education scholarships), but it was not passed. The resolution aims to renew U.S. commitment to Pacific Island nations through this specific legislative proposal.

Maddy summaryHCR 83 is a legislative resolution disapproving the 2025 Commission on Salaries' recommendation to increase salaries for Hawaii's governor, lieutenant governor, department heads, legislators, and judges. The legislature rejected these proposed increases, citing current economic conditions as "excessive," and directed the Commission to reconvene by November 2025 to review the disapproval reasons and submit a revised proposal for the 2026 legislative session. This resolution does not set new salaries but mandates the Commission to adjust its recommendations based on legislative feedback. As a procedural resolution (not a law), it affects the Commission's process rather than directly changing pay.