Rep. Nicole Lowen

Maddy summaryHCR 186 is a concurrent resolution requesting Hawaii's Department of Education, with the Department of Health and State Public Charter School Commission, to study how public and charter schools manage heat exposure during outdoor student activities. It directs the study to assess current practices, evaluate using wet-bulb globe temperature measurements (a standard for measuring heat stress), and develop guidelines if current methods are insufficient. The guidelines would cover hydration protocols, staff training for heat illness symptoms, accommodations for students with medical conditions, and acclimatization plans for outdoor activities like sports, recess, and marching band. The study must be completed and submitted to the Legislature by January 2026, with any proposed plan due by January 2027.

Maddy summaryHCR 188 is a concurrent resolution declaring climate change a public health emergency in Hawaii. It requires all state agencies - including Health, Transportation, Agriculture, and Land - to coordinate cross-departmental efforts to address climate-related health risks like extreme heat, disease spread, food insecurity, and mental health impacts. The resolution directs agencies to examine how their work affects public health and develop joint solutions, building on Hawaii’s 2021 climate emergency declaration. It does not create new laws or funding but mandates agency collaboration and reporting to the Governor and relevant department heads.

Maddy summaryThis House Resolution (HR 179) requests the Hawaii Department of Education, working with the Department of Health and State Public Charter School Commission, to study how schools manage heat exposure during outdoor activities to protect student health. The study must examine current practices, assess using wet-bulb globe temperature as a heat stress measurement standard, and determine if existing protocols are sufficient. If gaps are found, the study would develop guidelines for all public and charter schools covering activities like sports, recess, and band practice, including hydration protocols, staff training for heat illness, and special considerations for students with medical conditions. The resolution requires the study and any proposed guidelines to be submitted to the Legislature by early 2026. This is a procedural request for research, not an immediate policy change.

Maddy summaryThis House Resolution (HR 185) requests the Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources to create a Kailua Bay Advisory Working Group. The group would address challenges at Kailua Pier - including vandalism, infrastructure damage, homelessness, and safety concerns - while coordinating among state, county, and community stakeholders. It would focus on preserving cultural and economic activities (like fishing, tourism, and events such as the Queen Liliʻuokalani Canoe Race), ensuring sustainable pier operations, and monitoring issues like water quality. The resolution directly affects local residents, Native Hawaiian cultural practitioners, businesses, and visitors relying on Kailua Bay. It is procedural and does not enact new law, but rather seeks collaborative management through a structured advisory process.

Maddy summaryThis Hawaii House Resolution (HR 182) declares a public health emergency due to climate change impacts and requests all state departments to coordinate cross-sector solutions. It directs agencies like Health, Transportation, and Agriculture to identify and plan for climate-related health risks - including heat, disease, food insecurity, and mental health impacts - directly affecting Hawaii residents. The resolution does not create new laws but mandates statewide collaboration to strengthen public health responses.

Maddy summaryThis House Resolution (HR 63) requests the Hawai'i Department of Transportation to accelerate the adoption of sustainable aviation fuels (SAF) in the state's aviation sector to reduce carbon emissions. It directs the DOT to collaborate with the Hawai'i State Energy Office, airlines, and fuel producers to develop policies, incentives, and infrastructure for SAF production and use. The resolution also requires the DOT to integrate SAF adoption into the state's Greenhouse Gas Reduction Plan and submit a progress report to the Legislature by 2026.

Maddy summaryThis is a procedural resolution (not a bill), requesting the Hawaii State Energy Office to convene a Geothermal Energy Working Group. The working group - comprising state agency representatives, county officials, industry stakeholders, and community experts - will evaluate regulatory and policy challenges for geothermal energy development in Hawaii and provide recommendations to the Legislature by January 2026. It does not create new laws but aims to identify pathways for accelerating geothermal energy, a stable renewable resource, to support Hawaii's clean energy goals.

Requires the Department of Budget and Finance to enter into step-in agreements for payment obligations arising under certain power purchase agreements. Establishes the Power Purchase Costs Trust Fund. Establishes that money collected from on-bill charges for power purchase agreements and money received from a surcharge supporting a reserve account that are deposited in the Trust Fund shall be held in trust by the State, and that independent power producers shall hold a beneficial interest in the moneys to the extent of the amounts owed under the covered power purchase agreements. Appoints, authorizes, and empowers an electric utility to serve as the billing, collection, and payment agent of the Department of Budget and Finance in the service of performing step-in agreements. (SD1)

Maddy summaryThis House Resolution (HR 62) requests the Office of the State Fire Marshal to form a working group to study vegetation management practices on public and private property. The group will evaluate property owner responsibilities for reducing wildfire risks, particularly near electric utility lines, and develop recommendations for minimum safety standards for tree trimming near power facilities. It specifically responds to wildfire risks identified after the 2023 Maui fires, including the role of invasive grasses and human-caused ignitions. The working group must include representatives from fire services, utilities, counties, and invasive species councils, but does not create new laws - only seeks recommendations for future policy.

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.