Rep. Amy Perruso

Maddy summaryThis bill requests the Hawaii State Energy Office to form a working group to study the potential impacts of large data centers on the state's electric utilities, ratepayers, natural resources, and climate goals. The working group will include representatives from state agencies, electric utilities, consumer advocates, and environmental organizations to examine how these energy-intensive facilities could affect Hawaii's isolated power grids and water resources. The group will evaluate policy options such as ensuring data center developers pay for necessary grid upgrades and protecting existing customers from higher utility bills. This study is proactive, preparing Hawaii for potential future data center proposals while considering the state's constitutional duty to protect natural resources and meet its renewable energy targets.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a Legislative Task Force on Hawaii's Future Energy Pathways to study strategies for transitioning the state's energy system over the next three decades. The task force will examine how to reduce electricity costs for residents and businesses while minimizing risks to ratepayers and meeting Hawaii's legal goal of 100% renewable energy by 2045. Members will review options for integrating renewable resources like solar and wind, evaluate potential fossil fuel investments, and learn from other states' energy transitions. The committee will include representatives from the House energy committee, the Senate, and the Hawaii State Energy Office to coordinate their findings and recommendations.

Maddy summaryThis resolution urges the U.S. Department of Defense to review and potentially reopen its environmental cleanup decisions at military sites in Hawaii, specifically regarding per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). It calls for expanded investigations beyond areas previously linked to firefighting foam to include all historical uses of PFAS-containing materials, equipment, and waste streams at military facilities. The measure requests that the Department of Defense apply updated scientific knowledge and recent federal hazardous substance designations to assess groundwater, soil, and water contamination more thoroughly before closing sites.

Maddy summaryThis Hawaii House Resolution urges the U.S. Congress to pass H.R. 2687, the End Kidney Deaths Act, which would create a federal tax credit system to encourage living kidney donations to strangers. The bill aims to address kidney disease disparities affecting rural and low-income communities by increasing the number of available organ donors through financial incentives for non-directed donations. The resolution highlights that kidney transplantation is more effective than dialysis for saving lives and reducing long-term healthcare costs, while noting that existing donor protections remain in place. This measure is presented as a bipartisan effort to expand access to life-saving transplants and reduce the number of patients waiting for kidneys.

Maddy summaryThis House Resolution asks the Hawaii State Commission on the Status of Women to work with the Legislative Reference Bureau to create a working group focused on image-based sexual abuse. The group would include survivors, service providers, law enforcement, and prosecutors to review laws and policies from other states and recommend improvements for prevention, intervention, and survivor protection. The working group must submit a report with findings and potential legislation to the Legislature by early 2028 and will dissolve by the end of 2027. This resolution does not change any laws directly but sets up a process to study and propose future policy changes.

Maddy summaryThis House Resolution requests the Hawaii Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity to work with state and county agencies, community organizations, and Native Hawaiian leaders to create a comprehensive statewide food security strategy. The plan aims to address high rates of food insecurity affecting households, particularly children and marginalized communities, by assessing access barriers and recommending policy changes. Key requirements include reducing food costs, expanding access to nutritious and culturally appropriate foods, and aligning efforts with existing county food plans. The Department must submit the strategy to the Legislature by the beginning of the 2028 session to inform future policy and funding decisions.

Maddy summaryThis House Resolution requests the creation of an Arts Data and Mapping Task Force to conduct a statewide survey of arts and arts education programs across Hawaii. The task force, led by the Hawaii Youth Symphony and including representatives from various arts, education, and government organizations, will gather information about existing programs, their geographic distribution, and the populations they serve. The group will develop a comprehensive database and interactive map to help identify gaps in access and underserved areas, while explicitly avoiding any assessment of program quality or effectiveness. The task force will submit interim and final reports to the Legislature by 2028 and 2030, respectively, to inform future policy and funding decisions.

Maddy summaryThis House Resolution requests the creation of a working group to examine staffing shortages and security contracting issues at Hawaii state courts. The bill identifies that the Department of Law Enforcement has taken on expanded duties without matching increases in Deputy Sheriff positions, leading to vacancies and increased reliance on private security contractors. The proposed working group will include leaders from the judiciary, law enforcement, human resources, finance, and the attorney general to evaluate solutions for staffing levels, recruitment, and reducing long-term dependence on private security contracts. The resolution aims to address fiscal risks and accountability concerns associated with replacing public security personnel with private contractors at state court facilities.

Maddy summaryThis House Resolution requests the Hawaii State Center for Nursing to compile a comprehensive list of recommended safe patient staffing ratios for all nursing specialties across healthcare settings and maintain a public repository of this information. The bill directs the center to make this repository available to the public no later than twenty days before the start of the 2027 legislative session. It also urges healthcare facilities to consider implementing these recommended staffing standards. The resolution is based on findings that safe staffing levels improve patient outcomes and support nurse retention, and it directs copies of the measure to state health officials and hospital executives.

Maddy summaryThis House Resolution formally endorses Waikiki as a World Surfing Reserve, recognizing the area's historical significance as the birthplace of surfing and its cultural importance to Native Hawaiian heritage. The resolution highlights Waikiki's unique combination of world-class surf breaks, ecological value, and economic impact as a major tourist destination, while noting threats like climate change and pollution. It directs copies of the resolution to local government officials and community leaders to encourage further protection efforts for the area's surfing ecosystem and natural resources.