Rep. Amy Perruso

Authorizes the Clean Energy and Energy Efficiency Revolving Loan Fund to be used to provide financial assistance to underserved ratepayers, in addition to other eligible borrowers. Appropriates funds into and out of the Clean Energy and Energy Efficiency Revolving Loan Fund. Effective 7/1/3000. (SD1)

Requires the Department of Agriculture to revitalize and enhance the Agricultural Statistics Program to collect data on local agricultural interests. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Maddy summaryHCR 202 is a concurrent resolution (not a law) that strongly supports modernizing Hawaii's Patient Bill of Rights. It recommends updates to address current challenges like AI-driven insurance denials, provider shortages, and rural healthcare access. Key provisions include requiring insurers to provide clear written explanations of coverage, maintain accurate provider directories with telehealth details, guarantee emergency care access without post-service denial, and implement transparent appeals processes. The resolution also calls for insurers to report on network adequacy in shortage areas and ensure HIPAA-equivalent data security. It directs the Insurance Commissioner to enforce these standards but does not create new legal requirements itself.

Maddy summaryHCR 150 is a concurrent resolution requesting Hawaii's Department of Taxation to establish a task force to study implementing a surcharge on vacant residential properties. The task force, including the Taxation Director, Business Development Director, and Housing Finance Executive Director, must research the impacts and implementation of a surcharge similar to provisions in HB 489 (which proposes a tax on homes vacant 180+ days annually). The group must submit findings and recommendations to the Legislature by September 2025, ahead of the 2026 session. This resolution does not enact the surcharge but seeks research to inform future policy.

Maddy summaryHR 176 is a House Resolution (not a bill) requesting Hawaii's State Office of Elections to form a working group to study changing the state's automatic voter registration system from an opt-in model (where voters must actively register) to an opt-out model (where registration is automatic unless declined). The working group, including election officials and advocacy representatives, must recommend changes and submit a report to the Legislature by 2025. This resolution directly affects Hawaii voters and election administrators by proposing a potential shift in how voter registration is handled. It does not enact new law but seeks to evaluate a policy change aimed at improving registration convenience and participation.

Maddy summaryHCR 206 is a Hawaii legislative resolution condemning federal budget cuts that directly impact Hawaii residents and programs. It highlights specific effects, including the loss of approximately 2,200 federal jobs in Hawaii, projected Medicaid cuts affecting 420,000 residents, and SNAP benefit reductions threatening 600,000 people - including 70,000 children - with increased food insecurity. The resolution urges federal officials to reconsider these cuts and asks the governor to address the resulting strain on healthcare, conservation efforts, and community services. As a procedural resolution, it does not enact new policy but formally expresses Hawaii’s opposition to these federal actions.

Maddy summaryThis House Resolution (HR 104) requests the State Auditor to conduct biennial management and financial audits of Hawaii's Medicaid health care insurance contractors (managed care organizations). It directly affects these contractors, requiring them to cooperate with the Auditor by providing necessary records. The resolution mandates audits to assess financial integrity, compliance with laws/regulations, and contractor performance, with the first audit due within six months of July 1, 2025. The Auditor must submit findings to the Governor, Legislature, and Human Services Director by January 2027, and every two years thereafter. This follows past issues including Medicaid overpayments and a 2023 federal review identifying gaps in fraud prevention.

Maddy summaryThis concurrent resolution requests Hawaii's Attorney General to investigate whether crisis pregnancy centers operating in the state comply with patient privacy laws. It requires the Attorney General to submit findings and recommendations to the Legislature by January 2026. The resolution does not change existing laws but seeks to assess current compliance by these centers, which provide services like pregnancy testing while often promoting anti-abortion messaging.

Maddy summaryHR 144 is a House Resolution requesting Hawaii's Department of Taxation to create a task force to study implementing a tax surcharge on vacant residential properties. The task force would examine how a surcharge - modeled after proposed House Bill 489 - could incentivize property owners to occupy or rent out vacant homes, potentially increasing housing availability and generating revenue for affordable housing programs. The resolution specifies the task force must include representatives from tax, business, and housing agencies, and submit findings by late 2025 to inform future legislation. This is a procedural step to research policy options, not an immediate law.

Maddy summaryThis concurrent resolution urges Maui County's Planning Department to retain the word "require" in the South Maui Community Plan regarding infrastructure. It seeks to ensure new development projects cannot proceed without first completing necessary infrastructure like roads, water systems, and utilities, preventing overdevelopment and strain on community resources. The resolution does not create new law but requests the county uphold this planning principle to support sustainable growth.