Rep. Amy Perruso

Maddy summaryHR 143 is a House Resolution requesting the Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources to form a working group to assess how Volcano, Hawaii, can transition into a UNESCO biosphere reserve. The resolution addresses current environmental challenges in Volcano, including invasive species, Rapid Ohia Death, and forest degradation, aiming to align the area with the neighboring Hawaiian Islands Biosphere Reserve. The working group must develop strategies for native forest stewardship, community engagement, monitoring systems, and conservation planning to promote environmental sustainability and community well-being. This procedural resolution does not create new laws but directs state agencies to study the feasibility of this designation.

Maddy summaryThis House Resolution (HR 100) urges the Hawaii Department of Education to strengthen farm-to-school programs. It directly affects Hawaii schools, local farmers (especially small/medium producers), and Native Hawaiian crop growers by requesting four specific actions: streamlining procurement rules for farmers, creating a statewide farm database, offering financial incentives for local food purchases, and ensuring culturally significant foods like kalo are included in meals. The resolution does not create new law but asks the Department to report progress by 2026 on implementing these measures to help meet a 2030 goal of sourcing 30% of school meal ingredients locally. It addresses barriers like complex contracts and logistics that hinder current efforts to reduce Hawaii’s reliance on imported food.

Maddy summaryHCR 209 is a non-binding resolution urging the State of Hawaii to consider import substitution as a strategy for economic growth. It requests state agencies (including the Departments of Business, Agriculture, and Hawaii Technology Development) to identify sectors where local production could replace imported goods, aiming to reduce economic vulnerabilities from supply-chain disruptions. The resolution cites historical examples from Hawaii and Asian economies (like Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan) that used import substitution to build domestic industries before transitioning to exports. It does not create new laws or funding but encourages state agencies to explore this approach for long-term economic resilience.

Maddy summaryHR 181 is a House Resolution (not a law) requesting the Governor, state agencies, and utility stakeholders to accelerate Hawaii's clean energy transition. It asks for immediate action to reduce reliance on imported fossil fuels, aiming to lower electricity costs - currently the highest in the U.S. (42.39¢/kWh vs. national average of 16¢) - and protect consumers, particularly low-income households spending up to 20% of income on energy. The resolution emphasizes equitable access to renewable energy for underserved communities and aligns with Executive Order 25-01’s goals for 100% renewable energy. It does not mandate changes but urges coordinated efforts through existing state frameworks.

Maddy summaryHCR 86 is a concurrent resolution requesting Hawaii's Department of Education to establish an "Aloha Civics Working Group" to enhance civics education in public schools. The group, requiring specific members including the Superintendent of Education, university representatives, legislative staff, community organizations, and public members, must assess current civics programs, identify ways to integrate the Aloha Spirit's principles (kindness, unity, humility), develop teaching strategies, recommend educator training, and propose evaluation metrics. The group must submit its final report to the Legislature and Department of Education by January 2026, ahead of the next legislative session. This resolution directly affects Hawaii's public school curriculum and educator training by seeking to incorporate cultural values into civic learning.

Maddy summaryThis House Resolution (HR 124) is a symbolic statement, not a law, affirming Hawaii's constitutional duty to protect freshwater flows that sustain nearshore marine ecosystems. It recognizes that freshwater from rivers, streams, and groundwater is essential for healthy coral reefs, native species like the 'o'opu fish, and traditional Hawaiian practices. The resolution urges state and county agencies to prioritize freshwater protection through management plans and public education, referencing Hawaii's Constitution (Articles XI, Sections 1 and 7) that require water resource conservation. It does not create new legal requirements but emphasizes the connection between freshwater health and marine ecosystem resilience. The resolution directly affects Hawaii's coastal communities, marine habitats, and Native Hawaiian cultural practices reliant on these ecosystems.

Maddy summaryHouse Resolution 80 requests the Hawaii Department of Education to establish an Aloha Civics Working Group focused on enhancing civics education in public schools. The working group will assess current civics programs, develop recommendations for integrating the "Aloha Spirit" (Hawaii's cultural principles of kindness, unity, and empathy) into the curriculum, and propose teacher training and evaluation metrics. The group must submit a report to the Legislature and Department of Education by 2026. This resolution directly affects Hawaii's public school system and educators through its recommendations for curriculum changes.

Maddy summaryThis non-binding House Resolution (HR 201) requests the State of Hawaii to consider import substitution as a strategy for economic growth. It urges state agencies - including the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism; Department of Agriculture; and Hawaii Technology Development Corporation - to identify sectors where local production could replace imported goods (such as food, energy, and technology components). The resolution cites historical examples from Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan to highlight how strategic government support for domestic industries can build economic resilience, but does not mandate new policies or funding. It focuses on encouraging state agencies to study and prioritize local production opportunities.

Maddy summaryHR 127 is a Hawaii state resolution urging the Federal Aviation Administration and Hawaii’s Department of Transportation to support airline services using short-runway aircraft (like the DHC-6 Twin Otter) to improve access for rural communities. It specifically addresses reduced service and higher costs in areas like Molokai, Lanai, and Hana, where shorter runways limit current options. The resolution requests the Legislative Reference Bureau conduct a feasibility study on establishing a rural air service program, examining funding mechanisms, regulatory changes, and potential partnerships. This study would identify concrete steps to enhance connectivity for healthcare, education, and economic opportunities in underserved areas. The resolution has no binding effect but aims to guide future policy decisions.

Maddy summaryHR 95 is a House Resolution requesting the Hawaii State LGBTQ+ Commission and the Commission on the Status of Women to jointly review all Hawaii Revised Statutes. It directs them to recommend amendments to replace gendered language (like "he/she" or "male/female") with inclusive, gender-neutral terms across state laws. The resolution requires the commissions to draft proposed legislation, create guidelines for future bills, and submit a final report to the Legislature by early 2026. This action does not change existing law but initiates a review to align statutes with Hawaii's commitment to inclusivity for all gender identities.