Rep. Amy Perruso

Maddy summaryHouse Resolution 138 requests Hawaii's Attorney General to investigate whether crisis pregnancy centers operating in the state comply with patient privacy regulations. The resolution requires the Attorney General to report findings and recommendations, including potential legislative changes, to the Legislature by January 2026. This request follows studies indicating many crisis pregnancy centers - nonprofits that often provide services like pregnancy tests and ultrasounds while discouraging abortions - may collect personal health data without proper oversight. The investigation will assess compliance with existing privacy laws, not alter the centers' operations.

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 summaryHCR 105 is a non-binding Hawaii House resolution urging the U.S. government to create a national biodiversity strategy. It calls for a comprehensive plan to conserve ecosystems, protect species, and address the biodiversity crisis - impacting all U.S. citizens and natural resources. The resolution emphasizes the need for coordinated federal action, equity in conservation efforts, and alignment with international goals like the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Hawaii highlights its own biodiversity challenges (e.g., 550+ endangered species and minimal federal funding) as a reason for federal action. This resolution does not create new laws but advocates for a strategic approach to biodiversity conservation.

Maddy summaryHCR 48 is a non-binding House Concurrent Resolution urging future Hawaii legislatures to propose and the public to ratify a constitutional amendment guaranteeing all residents the right to a clean environment and stable climate. It cites environmental concerns in Hawaii, including water pollution from the Red Hill facility and climate impacts like rising sea levels, and references similar amendments adopted in Montana, New York, and Pennsylvania. The resolution does not create new legal rights itself but formally encourages future action toward this constitutional change. It is a procedural step, not a law affecting current policies or individuals.

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 summaryThis House Resolution (HR 44) encourages future Hawaii legislatures to propose a constitutional amendment and urges voters to ratify it, which would guarantee all residents the right to a clean, healthy environment and stable climate. It does not create new legal requirements or change current law - it is a symbolic resolution referencing environmental concerns like water pollution and climate impacts in Hawaii. The resolution cites examples from Montana, New York, and Pennsylvania where similar constitutional amendments were adopted. It directly addresses future Hawaii lawmakers and voters, not current policy or affected individuals.

Maddy summaryThis House Resolution (HR 194) strongly supports and recommends implementing the Revised 2025 Hawaii Patient Bill of Rights, which would modernize patient protections for all Hawaii residents covered by health insurance. It proposes key changes including requiring insurers to provide clear, translated explanations of coverage; maintain up-to-date provider directories with telehealth availability; ensure timely specialist referrals; prevent denial of emergency care based on retrospective review; and establish simpler appeals processes with online tools and hotlines. The resolution specifically addresses current issues like AI-driven coverage denials, provider shortages (affecting 35% of Hawaii's population in shortage areas), and network adequacy in rural communities. It does not create new law but urges adoption of these patient-focused provisions to improve transparency, access, and data security in Hawaii's healthcare system.

Maddy summaryThis House Resolution (HR 101) urges the U.S. federal government to create a national biodiversity strategy. It does not create new laws or allocate funding but asks the federal government to develop a coordinated plan to conserve biodiversity, set conservation targets, and collaborate with Indigenous communities and other stakeholders. Hawaii’s context drives this request, citing its 550+ endangered species (25% of the national total) receiving only 3% of federal conservation funding, alongside global biodiversity loss data. The resolution emphasizes the strategy should address ecosystem services, climate resilience, and equity, aligning with international conservation goals. As a non-binding resolution, it directly addresses the U.S. government’s policy approach, not specific affected groups.

Maddy summaryThis House Resolution (HR 172) urges Hawaii's Governor to appoint members to the inactive Hawaii Health Authority to plan for transitioning to a state-run, single-payer health care system. The resolution directs the Authority to develop a plan for implementation after securing federal waivers to access Medicare, Medicaid, and Tricare funding, aiming to reduce administrative costs (estimated at 15% in hospitals and provider billing) that currently consume significant state health spending. If successful, the plan could lower overall state health care costs by up to 30%, freeing budget resources for community programs and improving pay for primary care doctors to address physician shortages. The Authority must submit a progress report to the Legislature by early 2026.

Maddy summaryHCR 176 is a concurrent resolution urging the Governor to appoint members to reactivate the Hawaii Health Authority. The resolution directs the Authority to plan for a transition to a single-payer health care system that would cover all state residents, aiming to reduce administrative costs (estimated at 15% savings in hospital and physician billing) by simplifying payment systems. Implementation would require federal waivers to maintain Medicare, Medicaid, and Tricare funding, with the Authority required to report progress to the Legislature by early 2026. This resolution does not create new law but seeks to restart planning for a potential system change.