Rep. Amy Perruso

Maddy summaryThis concurrent resolution urges the University of Hawaii (UH) to create a program specifically addressing housing instability among students, directly affecting UH students facing homelessness or housing insecurity (as noted in a 2020 Hope Center study showing 14% experienced homelessness). It requests UH use findings from its current 2025 survey on student basic needs insecurity to develop this program, strengthen mental health services, and improve awareness of available resources. The resolution is non-binding and serves as a formal request to UH leadership, not a legislative mandate.

Maddy summaryHCR 106 is a concurrent resolution requesting the Hawaii State Energy Office to study whether establishing a green bonds program is feasible for the state. It directs the office to evaluate best practices for managing such a program, identify clean energy projects that could benefit from it, and explore public-private partnerships. The study must also examine how green bonds align with existing climate goals, including Hawaii’s 2035 renewable energy target. The office must submit its findings and recommendations to the Legislature by January 2026. This resolution does not create new law or funding - it only asks for a feasibility assessment.

Maddy summaryHCR 103 is a non-binding resolution urging Hawaii's counties to adopt local zoning rules requiring agricultural landowners to sign and record declarations acknowledging state and county land use rules and penalties for noncompliance. It directly affects owners of land zoned for agriculture (which covers nearly 2 million acres statewide but has only about 24% actively used for crops or grazing). The resolution recommends counties require these declarations - similar to Maui’s existing practice - and provide landowners with information about farm mentoring programs to encourage active farming. It does not create new laws but seeks to increase agricultural land use by making landowners formally aware of requirements. The resolution cites data showing significant underuse of agricultural-zoned land as its key justification.

Maddy summaryHR 93 is a non-binding House Resolution urging the University of Hawaii (UH) to create a "Homeless Student Stability and Housing Resource Program" to address housing insecurity among students. It cites a 2020 study showing 44% of UH students experienced housing insecurity (including 14% who were homeless), with only 15% receiving emergency aid due to lack of awareness. The resolution requests UH use its ongoing 2025 Basic Needs Committee survey to develop a plan improving housing access, mental health services (noting UH's current 1:4,010 mental health staff-to-student ratio), and resource awareness. This resolution does not create new law but formally asks UH to act based on documented student needs.

Maddy summaryHCR 207 is a non-binding resolution urging Hawaii's Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) to conduct a comprehensive economic analysis of military-leased lands within the state's public land trust. It requires DLNR to assess lost economic opportunities (like agriculture or housing), cleanup costs for environmental damage, restoration expenses, fair market rent value (currently $1 per year), and lost tax revenue from these lands. The resolution also mandates a public process for lease negotiations and a report to the legislature by early 2026, before key military leases expire in 2029. This affects DLNR's management of over 200,000 acres leased to the military at sites including Pearl Harbor and Schofield Barracks.

Maddy summaryHCR 140 is a resolution urging Hawaii's Sister-State Committee to evaluate establishing a formal sister-state relationship with New Zealand. It focuses on strengthening ties in economic development, arts/cultural exchange, education, and environmental sustainability, highlighting shared Polynesian heritage and regional cooperation goals. The resolution does not create new law but recommends the committee develop steps for potential collaboration. It emphasizes mutual interests in areas like renewable energy, marine conservation, and cultural programs between the two regions.

Maddy summaryHCR 107 is a concurrent resolution requesting Hawaii’s State Commission on the Status of Women to form a working group focused on strengthening state-level protections under federal Title IX education anti-discrimination law. The working group would include state officials (Attorney General, Superintendent of Education, UH President) and community advocates, tasked with developing recommendations to address gaps in current Title IX compliance within Hawaii schools and universities. It specifically cites underreporting of sex-based discrimination and harassment incidents in state education systems as a key concern. The group must submit its findings and potential legislative proposals to the Legislature by late 2025, with no immediate legal effect.

Maddy summaryThis House Resolution (HR 99) urges Hawaii’s counties to adopt local zoning ordinances requiring owners of agricultural-zoned land to sign and record declarations acknowledging state and county agricultural land use rules and penalties for noncompliance. It directly affects agricultural landowners statewide, particularly those on land designated for farming but not actively used for crops or grazing (only ~8% of such land is currently used for crops). The key mechanism is mandating these declarations - similar to Maui County’s existing requirement for building permits - to ensure future owners understand regulations and to encourage active agricultural use. The resolution also encourages counties to share information about farm mentorship programs (like GoFarm Hawaii) to help landowners transition to production. As a resolution, it does not create new law but seeks to align county policies with state goals of increasing farmland productivity and food security.

Maddy summaryHR 137 is a House Resolution urging the Hawaii Tourism Authority to require all transient accommodations (such as hotels, hostels, short-term rentals, and timeshares) to make the Pono Pledge a mandatory step during guest check-in. The Pono Pledge is an educational commitment teaching visitors to respect Hawaii's environment, cultural sites, and local communities. The resolution requests the Tourism Authority develop procedures for guests to complete and provide proof of the pledge before check-in, using methods like online platforms or in-person acknowledgments. This is a non-binding recommendation, not a law, aimed at promoting responsible tourism practices.

Maddy summaryHCR 143 is a concurrent resolution urging the Hawaii Tourism Authority to require all hotels, short-term rentals, and other transient accommodations to incorporate the Pono Pledge as a mandatory step during guest check-in. The resolution asks the authority to establish procedures where visitors must acknowledge the pledge - committing to respect Hawaii’s environment, culture, and safety - before checking in. It directly affects tourism businesses and visitors staying in temporary lodging across Hawaii. The resolution does not create new law but seeks to promote responsible tourism through this educational commitment.