Rep. Chris Muraoka

Maddy summaryThis House Concurrent Resolution requests the Hawaii Public Utilities Commission to create a temporary working group to evaluate the state's utility infrastructure capacity and lifespan, particularly for the City and County of Honolulu. The working group will include representatives from government agencies, utility companies, and labor unions to assess current service levels, identify aging infrastructure, and analyze the costs of expanding systems to meet growing community demands. The study aims to provide data on potential funding gaps, projected rate increases, and whether existing permits are straining utility capacity, ultimately supporting more informed community planning and infrastructure investment decisions.

For taxable years, beginning 1/1/2026, increases the maximum annual deduction for contributions to, and maximum account levels for, individual housing accounts. Takes effect 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Maddy summaryThis bill urges the U.S. Navy to attend Community Representation Initiative meetings in person regarding the Red Hill fuel storage facility cleanup on Oahu. The resolution addresses a history of fuel leaks from the Navy's storage tanks that contaminated drinking water used by hundreds of thousands of residents and caused health concerns for thousands of people. While the Navy previously attended these meetings, a 2026 plan removed that requirement, prompting this request for consistent participation to improve transparency and community engagement. The bill also asks the Navy to provide regular updates on water testing and remediation progress to affected residents. This measure is non-binding and serves as a formal request rather than a law that imposes penalties or mandates.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates September 28th as Hawaii Good Neighbor Day, encouraging residents to participate in community-building events that foster connection and strengthen neighborhood ties. The resolution recognizes the importance of social organization and community bonds in reducing crime and promoting asset-based development, where existing community strengths are utilized to mobilize people. It follows the national model established by President Jimmy Carter in 1978, which was later adjusted to September 28th in 2003, and mirrors similar initiatives in cities like San Francisco, Boston, and Phoenix. The bill does not create new laws or funding but serves as a symbolic recognition to promote civic engagement and neighborly interaction across the state.

Establishes an Early Learning Apprenticeship Grant Program to be administered by the University of Hawaii to provide financial support for early learning program service providers in the State to participate in state- or federally-approved early learning apprenticeship programs. Requires an annual report to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/31/2055. (SD1)

Establishes a Cesspool Conversion Implementation Working Group to assist the Department of Health in a review of the Department's administrative rules and practices regarding wastewater systems and cesspools and in the development of proposed changes to make cesspool conversions more affordable. Requires a report to the Legislature. Appropriates funds for positions and hiring of a consultant to assist the Cesspool Conversion Implementation Working Group. Effective 7/1/3000. (SD1)

Appropriates funds to the Department of Health to purchase one advanced life support ambulance and related equipment to be based in central Maui, fund pay-related personnel costs for state-certified emergency medical services personnel, and increase the predictability and stability of available air ambulance services for all islands in the State. Effective 1/31/2050. (SD1)

Maddy summaryThis bill requests the state auditor to evaluate the social and financial impacts of mandating health insurance coverage for prosthetic and orthotic devices, as proposed in House Bill 1536. The assessment will focus on how requiring insurance to cover these devices would affect Hawaii residents with limb loss, limb differences, or mobility impairments, particularly regarding access to activity-specific prostheses. The auditor must analyze costs, benefits, and potential changes to health outcomes, including secondary conditions like diabetes and cardiovascular disease, and consider federal Affordable Care Act requirements. The final report will be submitted to the legislature before the 2027 session to inform future policy decisions.

Exempts one six-hour strategic planning retreat of the Board of Regents of the University of Hawaii per year from open meeting requirements if certain conditions are met. Requires members of the Board of Regents to complete a governance training and attend the training at least once every two years thereafter. Requires the Candidate Advisory Council to ensure that all candidates presented to the Governor for nomination have certain subject matter experience and are not registered lobbyists who have lobbied on matters pertaining to the University of Hawaii. Exempts the financial disclosures of the Board of Regents as mandated by the State Ethics Code from being made public. Requires the Board of Regents, in collaboration with the Candidate Advisory Council, to submit annual reports to the Legislature. Effective 7/1/3000. (SD1)

Maddy summaryThis House Resolution urges the Governor of Hawaii to reconsider the decision to exclude the state from the Federal Education Freedom Tax Credit Program, which would allow families to use federal tax credits to fund scholarships for private school tuition and education services. The program, set to begin in 2027, is funded through private donations and federal tax incentives rather than state money, and it is available only to states that opt in. Currently, 23 states have chosen to participate, while Hawaii has not, meaning local families would miss out on additional funding opportunities for education choice options. The resolution highlights that Hawaii's current proficiency rates in reading and math are low, suggesting that participating could provide more financial resources to support students.