Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution (SR 6) requests the Hawaii State Auditor to conduct a performance audit of the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands (DHHL). The audit would examine whether DHHL is effectively fulfilling its mission to deliver lands to native Hawaiian beneficiaries, including its efficiency, resource use, land development pace, and impact on housing stability and cultural preservation. It specifically aims to assess why a $600 million 2022 investment has not reduced the 29,000-person waitlist, with over 2,100 beneficiaries dying while awaiting land. The resolution requires the Auditor to evaluate DHHL's operations, trust fund sustainability, and beneficiary access, then submit findings to the Legislature by early 2027. This is a procedural request for evaluation, not a law changing DHHL's operations.
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Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution (SR 5) urges the U.S. Congress to change federal tax law so that homeowners (owner-occupants) can deduct the same property-related expenses as business entities - such as depreciation, maintenance, and insurance - currently available to real estate investors. It highlights that under current law, homeowners only deduct mortgage interest, while business owners (like REITs) deduct a broader range of costs, creating a financial disadvantage. The resolution, offered by Hawaii's legislature, does not change tax law itself but formally requests Congress to address this disparity. It specifically asks Congress to provide homeowners with "comparably equivalent" deductions for property ownership expenses. (Note: This is a symbolic resolution, not a bill with legislative effect.)
Maddy summaryThis Hawaii Senate resolution (SCR 12) urges the U.S. Congress to change federal tax law so that homeowners (owner-occupants) can deduct the same property-related expenses as business property owners. Currently, businesses like real estate investment trusts (REITs) can deduct costs such as depreciation, property taxes, insurance, maintenance, and utilities, but homeowners are limited to deducting only mortgage interest. The resolution states this disparity creates an unfair tax disadvantage for Hawaii homeowners, hindering affordability as housing costs are a major barrier. It does not create new law but formally requests Congress to address this imbalance.
Maddy summarySCR 13 is a Senate Concurrent Resolution requesting Hawaii's Auditor to conduct a performance audit of the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands (DHHL). The audit will examine DHHL's progress in fulfilling its mission to deliver homestead lands to native Hawaiian beneficiaries, including its efficiency, resource use, land development rates, and program effectiveness in improving housing stability and cultural preservation. It specifically requires the Auditor to assess whether DHHL is adequately managing its $600 million 2022 funding, address the 29,000+ applicant waitlist, and evaluate communication with beneficiaries. The Auditor must submit findings and recommendations to the Legislature by January 2027, including a timeline for improvements. This resolution directly affects DHHL's operations and the 29,000+ applicants awaiting land.
Maddy summarySCR 16 is a Senate Concurrent Resolution requesting the State Auditor conduct an audit of funds allocated to the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands (DHHL) under Act 279 (2022). It specifically seeks to review how DHHL used $600 million in appropriations meant to eliminate its waitlist of over 28,700 native Hawaiian beneficiaries. The resolution cites DHHL's overdue submission of required annual reports detailing fund expenditures and progress on assisting waitlist applicants, as mandated by Act 279. The audit will focus on accountability for funds intended to provide land, housing, or financial assistance to native Hawaiians.
Maddy summarySCR 15 is a resolution requesting the Office of the Auditor to audit DHHL's "paper lease" system, which allows Native Hawaiian beneficiaries to hold lease rights to larger land parcels before individual lots are developed. The audit will examine how long beneficiaries wait in undivided lease status, record-keeping accuracy, beneficiary understanding of rights, and whether the system meets legal and trust responsibilities. It specifically aims to assess if the system effectively transitions beneficiaries to individual lot leases and operates transparently. The resolution does not change laws but seeks accountability through an independent review.
Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution (SR 14) requests the State Auditor to audit funds allocated to the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands (DHHL) under Act 279 (2022), which provided $600 million to eliminate the DHHL waitlist for native Hawaiian beneficiaries. The resolution cites DHHL's failure to publicly release its required 2025 Annual Activity Report by January 21, 2026, as mandated by Act 279. The audit would examine how DHHL used the $600 million appropriation for land development, housing, and beneficiary assistance. It directly affects DHHL's accountability for managing these funds, which were intended to assist over 28,700 waitlisted native Hawaiians. The resolution does not change policy but seeks transparency around fund usage.
Maddy summarySR 13 is a Senate Resolution requesting the Office of the Auditor to audit the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands' (DHHL) "paper lease" system, which affects native Hawaiian beneficiaries holding undivided leases. The audit will evaluate how effectively the system transitions beneficiaries to specific lots, tracks lease durations, maintains records, clarifies beneficiary rights, and complies with trust obligations under the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act. This procedural resolution does not change laws but seeks transparency in DHHL's administration of over 200,000 acres held in trust.
Maddy summarySB 3337 would remove the state tax on gasoline and diesel fuel used in motor vehicles. This change would directly affect drivers and businesses that purchase these fuels, as they would no longer pay the state tax on each gallon. The bill’s key provision is eliminating the existing state tax rate applied to these fuels at the point of sale. The bill is currently in committee review, with a public hearing scheduled for February 12, 2026.
Proposes to amend article XVI, section 3.5 of the Hawaii State Constitution regarding the establishment of salary increase limits for justices and judges of all state courts, members of the Legislature, department heads or executive officers of executive departments, and the deputies or assistants to department heads of executive departments.