Legislative Members

31st Legislature, 2021
View Legislative Calendar

Floor session convene times for Tuesday, April 20, 2021:
Senate: 12:00 p.m. | House of Representatives: 11:30 a.m.

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House District 41
Hawaii State Capitol
Room 333
phone: 808-586-6080
fax: 808-586-6081
replopresti@Capitol.hawaii.gov

Member of the following committees:

Culture, Arts, & International Affairs

Health, Human Services, & Homelessness

Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs

District Information
41st House District Map - Ewa, Ewa Beach, Ewa Gentry, Ewa Villages, Hoakalei, Ocean Pointe

COMMUNITY SERVICE
• Member, Oahu Metropolitan Planning Organization (2014-2016)
• Vice-Chair, Executive Committee of the Sierra Club's Oahu Group, (2011-2015)
• Treasurer, Ewa Neighborhood Board
• Volunteer, Ewa Beach Weed and Seed, Boys and Girls Club of Hawaii & Honolulu Police Department, Hale Pono Ewa Beach & City and County of Honolulu. 2011.
• President and Board Member, Townhomes at Ka Makana at Hoakalei (2010-Present)

EDUCATION
• Ph.D., Philosophy, University of Hawaii at Manoa
• M.A., Philosophy, University of Toledo
• B.A., History, University of Toledo
• B.A., Philosophy, University of Toledo

ACADEMIC APPOINTMENTS & FELLOWSHIPS
• 2014-Present Associate Professor of Philosophy and Humanities, Hawaii Pacific University
• 2010-2014 Assistant Professor of Philosophy and Humanities, HPU
• 2008-2010 Visiting Assistant Professor of Philosophy and Humanities, HPU
• 2007-2008 Visiting Instructor of Humanities, HPU
• 2004-2005 Pre-Doctoral Fellow, Department of Philosophy, West Virginia University
• 2003 Lecturer of Buddhist Philosophy, Antioch College, Buddhist Studies in India Program (Bodh Gaya, India & London, England)
• 2003 Language Fellow, Advanced Sanskrit Language Program, American Institute of Indian Studies: Deccan College (Pune, India)
• 2003 Infinity Foundation Graduate Fellowship for studies in Indian Philosophy, Infinity Foundation, Inc.

Measures Introduced

	Title
HB2	RELATING TO PAID SICK LEAVE.
HB3	RELATING TO REVENUE GENERATION.
HB4	RELATING TO THE MINIMUM WAGE.
HB5	RELATING TO FAMILY LEAVE.
HB6	RELATING TO GREEN FEES.
HB10 HD1	RELATING TO THE BOARD OF EDUCATION.
HB31	RELATING TO FIREARMS.
HB33 HD1 SD2	RELATING TO THE INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY STEERING COMMITTEE.
HB35	RELATING TO FIREWORKS.
HB46 HD1	RELATING TO WILDLIFE.
HB72 HD2 SD2	RELATING TO ELECTRIC FOOT SCOOTERS.
HB73 HD2 SD1	RELATING TO EMERGENCY WORKERS.
HB74	RELATING TO RESTRICTIONS ON AGRICULTURAL USES AND ACTIVITIES.
HB76	RELATING TO COUNTIES.
HB79 HD1 SD2	RELATING TO HOUSING.
HB83	RELATING TO INTERNET SERVICES.
HB95 HD2 SD1	RELATING TO SPECIAL LICENSE PLATES FOR NATURAL RESOURCES.
HB97	RELATING TO CHARITABLE ORGANIZATIONS.
HB98 HD2	RELATING TO AQUATIC RESOURCES.
HB99	RELATING TO THE CLEAN WATER ACT.
HB100 HD1	RELATING TO INSPECTION FEES.
HB102 HD1	RELATING TO SUNSCREENS.
HB114	RELATING TO CESSPOOL CONVERSION.
HB225 HD2 SD1	RELATING TO BULLYING.
HB226	RELATING TO FAIR DIGITAL ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT REPAIR.
HB228	RELATING TO UNITED STATES SENATOR DANIEL K. INOUYE DAY.
HB229 HD1	RELATING TO UNITED STATES SENATOR DANIEL K. AKAKA DAY.
HB235	RELATING TO SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM INCENTIVES.
HB236	RELATING TO COFFEE PEST CONTROL.
HB243 HD1 SD2	RELATING TO SEA LEVEL RISE ADAPTATION.
HB245 HD1	RELATING TO HISTORIC PRESERVATION.
HB246	RELATING TO COASTAL PROTECTION.
HB247 SD2	RELATING TO AGRICULTURAL LANDS.
HB282 HD1 SD2	RELATING TO MINORS.
HB291	RELATING TO HOMELESSNESS.
HB292	RELATING TO TAX AMNESTY.
HB293	RELATING TO POLLING PLACES.
HB295	RELATING TO IMPACT FEES.
HB297	RELATING TO LABOR.
HB327 HD2	RELATING TO GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS.
HB328 HD2	RELATING TO ENERGY EFFICIENCY.
HB330	RELATING TO SUGAR-SWEETENED BEVERAGES.
HB331 HD1	RELATING TO THE STATE PLAN.
HB384	RELATING TO TELEHEALTH.
HB385	RELATING TO TRANSPORTATION.
HB386	RELATING TO CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES.
HB387	RELATING TO EXPLOSION DETECTION TECHNOLOGY.
HB388	RELATING TO PLANNED COMMUNITY ASSOCIATIONS.
HB389 HD1 SD1	RELATING TO POST-SECONDARY EDUCATION.
HB419	RELATING TO CHILDREN.
HB420	RELATING TO FIREWORKS.
HB423	RELATING TO A DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION.
HB425 HD1	RELATING TO PUBLIC IMPROVEMENTS.
HB427	RELATING TO RESTORATIVE JUSTICE.
HB428	RELATING TO LAW ENFORCEMENT REFORM.
HB429	RELATING TO HOMESTEAD EXEMPTIONS.
HB430	RELATING TO ELECTION REFORM.
HB432 HD1	RELATING TO THE EARNED INCOME TAX CREDIT.
HB437	RELATING TO TAXATION.
HB438	RELATING TO EXTERNAL CONTRACTS IN THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION.
HB440	RELATING TO TAXATION.
HB441	RELATING TO TAX HAVEN ABUSE.
HB443 HD1	RELATING TO SCHOOL FOOD PROGRAMS.
HB444	PROPOSING AMENDMENTS TO ARTICLES VIII AND X OF THE CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE OF HAWAII TO AUTHORIZE THE LEGISLATURE TO ESTABLISH A SURCHARGE TO INCREASE FUNDING FOR PUBLIC EDUCATION.
HB445 HD1	RELATING TO INCREASING THE ESTATE TAX.
HB446 HD3 SD1	RELATING TO MOTOR VEHICLES.
HB452	RELATING TO EDUCATION.
HB460	RELATING TO A CARBON TAX.
HB461 HD1	RELATING TO COFFEE LABELING.
HB462	RELATING TO EMPLOYMENT SECURITY.
HB463	RELATING TO CLIMATE CHANGE.
HB488	RELATING TO INSPECTIONS OF CARE FACILITIES.
HB489	RELATING TO LONG-TERM CARE INSURANCE.
HB491	RELATING TO SERVICES FOR KUPUNA.
HB545 HD1	RELATING TO THE HAWAIIAN HOMES COMMISSION ACT.
HB550 HD2 SD1	RELATING TO ENERGY EFFICIENCY.
HB551 HD1	PROPOSING AN AMENDMENT TO ARTICLE I OF THE CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE OF HAWAII TO GUARANTEE ALL INDIVIDUALS THE RIGHT TO HAVE A CLEAN AND HEALTHY ENVIRONMENT.
HB552 HD1 SD2	RELATING TO THE ENVIRONMENT.
HB553 HD2 SD2	RELATING TO THE PROTECTION OF SHARKS.
HB554 HD2	RELATING TO REAL PROPERTY TRANSACTIONS.
HB557 HD1	RELATING TO THE EMPLOYEES' RETIREMENT SYSTEM.
HB581	RELATING TO COMMERCIAL TENANT PROTECTION.
HB595	RELATING TO SEA LEVEL RISE.
HB596	RELATING TO REAL PROPERTY TRANSACTIONS.
HB597	RELATING TO REAL PROPERTY TRANSACTIONS.
HB600	RELATING TO THE MINIMUM WAGE.
HB601 HD2 SD1	RELATING TO THE TRAFFIC CODE.
HB602	RELATING TO REGISTRATION OF VEHICLES.
HB604	RELATING TO VISION ZERO.
HB608 HD2 SD2	RELATING TO THE BOARD OF EDUCATION.
HB610	RELATING TO GARDENS.
HB615	RELATING TO INTERNET ACCESS.
HB616	RELATING TO BROADBAND ACCESS.
HB617	RELATING TO HOTELS.
HB642	RELATING TO EMPLOYMENT.
HB690 HD1	PROPOSING AN AMENDMENT TO ARTICLE X, SECTION 1, OF THE CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE OF HAWAII TO REQUIRE THAT THE STATEWIDE PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM BE THOROUGH AND EFFICIENT.
HB691	RELATING TO CAMPUS SAFETY.
HB692	RELATING TO SEX TRAFFICKING PREVENTION.
HB702 HD2	RELATING TO FARM TO SCHOOL PROCUREMENT.
HB704	RELATING TO PROCUREMENT.
HB718 HD1 SD1	RELATING TO HEALTH.
HB722 HD2 SD2	RELATING TO HUMAN TRAFFICKING.
HB745	RELATING TO AFFORDABLE HOUSING.
HB768	RELATING TO HEALTH.
HB769	RELATING TO HEALTH.
HB781	RELATING TO STUDENT JOURNALISM.
HB783	RELATING TO THE UNIFORM PROBATE CODE.
HB784	RELATING TO TRESPASS.
HB785	RELATING TO FIREARMS.
HB794	RELATING TO ONLINE ACCOUNT PRIVACY.
HB795	RELATING TO PUBLIC SAFETY.
HB796 HD2	RELATING TO CORRECTIONAL FACILITY AND COMMUNITY CORRECTIONAL CENTER DEATHS.
HB797	RELATING TO PUBLIC RECORDS.
HB798	RELATING TO GRANTS.
HB801 HD1	RELATING TO MOPEDS.
HB802	RELATING TO ELECTRIC VEHICLES.
HB803 HD1 SD1	RELATING TO ELECTRIC VEHICLES.
HB804	RELATING TO ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION.
HB805	RELATING TO ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION.
HB815	RELATING TO EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT.
HB816	RELATING TO AGRICULTURE.
HB817 HD2 SD2	RELATING TO AGRICULTURE.
HB844	RELATING TO PROCUREMENT.
HB860 HD1	RELATING TO ROOFTOP SOLAR INSTALLATION.
HB861	RELATING TO COMPOSTING.
HB863 HD2 SD2	RELATING TO FORESTRY.
HB1079	RELATING TO THE MODERNIZATION OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE.
HB1081 HD1 SD2	RELATING TO SIDEWALKS.
HB1083	RELATING TO THE LAW OF THE SPLINTERED PADDLE.
HB1084	RELATING TO ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION.
HB1087	RELATING TO ANIMAL CRUELTY.
HB1088 HD3 SD2	RELATING TO COSMETICS.
HB1095	RELATING TO FERAL CHICKENS.
HB1099	RELATING TO LITTERING.
HB1103	RELATING TO PUBLIC BANKING.
HB1105 HD1	RELATING TO THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII BOARD OF REGENTS CANDIDATE ADVISORY COUNCIL.
HB1112	RELATING TO THE VENDING FACILITIES PROGRAM.
HB1118 HD2	RELATING TO CAMPAIGN SPENDING.
HB1119 HD2	RELATING TO CHARITABLE ORGANIZATIONS.
HB1123	RELATING TO THE HAWAIIAN HOMES COMMISSION ACT.
HB1124 HD1 SD1	RELATING TO THE HAWAIIAN HOMES COMMISSION ACT.
HB1130 HD2 SD2	RELATING TO TRANSIT-ORIENTED DEVELOPMENT.
HB1150	RELATING TO FISHING.
HB1177	RELATING TO TAX CREDITS.
HB1178	RELATING TO TAX CREDITS.
HB1191 HD2 SD2	RELATING TO BROADBAND SERVICE INFRASTRUCTURE.
HB1201	RELATING TO ESSENTIAL WAGES FOR ESSENTIAL WORKERS.
HB1205	RELATING TO SUSTAINABLE INVESTING.
HB1206	RELATING TO FOOD SECURITY.
HB1215	RELATING TO FEES FOR BIRTH CERTIFICATES.
HB1216	RELATING TO PLANNED COMMUNITY ASSOCIATIONS.
HB1217	RELATING TO PLANNED COMMUNITY ASSOCIATIONS.
HB1218 HD1	RELATING TO HOME-BASED BUSINESSES.
HB1219	RELATING TO CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE FORTY-FIRST REPRESENTATIVE DISTRICT.
HB1221 HD1	RELATING TO CHARTER SCHOOLS.
HB1223 HD1	RELATING TO EDUCATION.
HB1226	RELATING TO VIOLATION OF PRIVACY.
HB1231	RELATING TO VITAL STATISTICS.
HB1234	RELATING TO THE ENVIRONMENT.
HB1246 HD2	RELATING TO FIREWORKS.
HB1268	RELATING TO INCOME TAX.
HB1271	RELATING TO THE AGRIBUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION.
HB1291 HD1 SD2	RELATING TO SCHOLARSHIPS.
HB1293	RELATING TO REMOTE WORK.
HB1305	RELATING TO WASTE MANAGEMENT.
HB1306	RELATING TO SEXUAL VIOLENCE PREVENTION EDUCATION.
HB1308 HD1	RELATING TO JUNETEENTH DAY.
HB1309	RELATING TO HEALTH.
HB1319 HD1	RELATING TO CARBON PRICING.
HB1324 HD2 SD1	RELATING TO COMMERCIAL PROPERTY RENT RELIEF.
HB1327	RELATING TO THE YOUTH VAPING EPIDEMIC.
HB1328	RELATING TO ELECTRONIC SMOKING DEVICES.
HB1329	RELATING TO ELECTRONIC SMOKING PRODUCTS.
HB1331	RELATING TO FIREWORKS.
HB1347	RELATING TO THE ALOHA STADIUM.
HB1362 HD1 SD2	RELATING TO ACCESS TO LEARNING.
HB1364	RELATING TO HEMP.
HB1365	RELATING TO MARINE LIFE.
HB1376 HD2 SD2	RELATING TO THE LANDLORD-TENANT CODE.
HB1384	RELATING TO MEDICAL LOSS RATIOS.
HB1386	RELATING TO ECONOMIC RECOVERY FOR RESTAURANTS.
HB1388 HD1	RELATING TO TAXATION.
HB1390	RELATING TO RENTAL DISCRIMINATION.
HCR35 SD1	URGING THE UNITED STATES MILITARY TO CLEAN UP MUNITIONS AND EXPLOSIVES OF CONCERN IN HAWAII UNDER THE MILITARY MUNITIONS RESPONSE PROGRAM.
HCR42	URGING THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES TO STUDY THE FEASIBILITY OF INCREASING PAYMENT TO HAWAII'S COMMUNITY CARE FOSTER FAMILY HOMES(CCFFH) AND EXPANDED ADULT RESIDENTIAL CARE HOMES (E-ARCH) FOR MEDICAID RECIPIENTS.
HCR45 SD1	URGING THE UNITED STATES CONGRESS TO GRANT ADDITIONAL AUTHORITY TO THE FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION TO STOP UNWANTED AND ILLEGAL ROBOCALLS.
HCR46	REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES TO STUDY THE FEASIBILITY OF INCREASING THE MEDICAID REIMBURSEMENT PAYMENT RATE FOR HAWAII'S COMMUNITY CARE FOSTER FAMILY HOMES AND EXPANDED ADULT RESIDENTIAL CARE HOMES FOR MEDICAID RECIPIENTS.
HCR50	REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES, IN COORDINATION WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, TO COLLECT DATA ON LESBIAN, GAY, BISEXUAL, TRANSGENDER, QUEER OR QUESTIONING, PANSEXUAL, ASEXUAL, GENDER NON-CONFORMING, AND INTERSEX YOUTH WHO ARE UNDER THE SUPERVISION OF THE COURTS AND THE HAWAII YOUTH CORRECTIONAL FACILITY.
HCR53	REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO PROVIDE A REPORT TO THE LEGISLATURE ON PUBLIC SCHOOL CLASS SIZES.
HCR54	URGING THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO INCREASE ACCESS TO ARTS AND CULTURAL INSTRUCTION IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
HCR55 HD1	URGING THE BOARD OF EDUCATION AND DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO REDUCE THE USE OF STANDARDIZED TESTING IN HAWAII'S PUBLIC EDUCATION SYSTEM.
HCR60 HD1	URGING THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO DEVELOP AND IMPLEMENT A PLAN TO REDUCE THE USE OF EXTERNAL CONTRACTS FOR CURRICULA, INSTRUCTION, AND TESTING IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
HCR67 HD1	DECLARING A CLIMATE EMERGENCY AND REQUESTING STATEWIDE COLLABORATION TOWARD AN IMMEDIATE JUST TRANSITION AND EMERGENCY MOBILIZATION EFFORT TO RESTORE A SAFE CLIMATE.
HCR68	REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO CREATE A LANDSCAPE MANAGEMENT PLAN WITH GOALS TO INCREASE TREE CANOPIES ON PUBLIC SCHOOL GROUNDS, DOCUMENT EXISTING INVENTORY AND TALENT, AND IDENTIFY ADDITIONAL RESOURCES REQUIRED TO IMPLEMENT AND SUSTAIN THE PLAN.
HCR72	REQUESTING THE STADIUM AUTHORITY TO IDENTIFY AND DEVELOP APPROPRIATE AREAS WITHIN THE STADIUM DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT TO WITHSTAND THE STRUCTURAL REQUIREMENTS OF A PERMANENT SHIPPING CONTAINER STORAGE AND LAY DOWN FACILITY FOR USE BY PEARL HARBOR WHEN SERVING AS A BACKUP IN AN EMERGENCY THAT RENDERS HONOLULU HARBOR UNUSABLE.
HCR73	REQUESTING THE DIRECTOR OF TRANSPORTATION TO ADOPT RULES PURSUANT TO CHAPTER 91, HAWAII REVISED STATUTES, TO REQUIRE VEHICLE INSPECTIONS TO ASSESS THE LEVEL OF NOISE EMITTED BY THE VEHICLE'S EXHAUST.
HCR74 HD1	DECLARING THE YEAR 2022 AS THE YEAR OF THE LIMU.
HCR75	REQUESTING THE UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS TO COMPLETE AN ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT FOR THE SHORELINE STABILIZATION PROJECT AT THE PUULOA RANGE TRAINING FACILITY.
HCR80 HD1	REQUESTING THE UNITED STATES FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION TO PROMOTE TRANSPARENCY AND ENFORCEMENT BY PROVIDING INDIVIDUAL PREMARKET TOBACCO PRODUCT APPLICATION APPLICANT INFORMATION OF HAWAII SELLERS TO THE DEPARTMENT OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT PURPOSES.
HCR81 HD1 SD1	URGING THE UNITED STATES CONGRESS, FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION, AND HAWAII DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION TO TAKE EVERY ACTION NECESSARY TO ADDRESS RAPIDLY INCREASING SAFETY RISKS AND COMMUNITY DISRUPTION RESULTING FROM INSUFFICIENT REGULATION OF TOUR HELICOPTER AND SMALL AIRCRAFT OPERATIONS THROUGHOUT HAWAII SKIES.
HCR113	URGING THE UNITED STATES CONGRESS TO ENACT FEDERAL LEGISLATION GRANTING STATEHOOD TO THE PEOPLE OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.
HCR119 HD1 SD1	URGING THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES, AND UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII TO DEVELOP AND IMPLEMENT A MOSQUITO CONTROL PROGRAM THAT USES WOLBACHIA BACTERIA TO REDUCE MOSQUITO POPULATION LEVELS THROUGHOUT THE STATE.
HCR123 HD1 SD2	REQUESTING THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII SCHOOL OF NURSING AND DENTAL HYGIENE TO CONDUCT AN ANALYSIS OF ADVANCED PRACTICE REGISTERED NURSES.
HCR124 HD1	REQUESTING THE LEGISLATIVE REFERENCE BUREAU TO CONDUCT AN ANALYSIS OF ADVANCED PRACTICE REGISTERED NURSES AND PHYSICIAN ASSISTANTS.
HCR143	REQUESTING THE CONVENING OF A WORKING GROUP TO CONDUCT A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW OF THE STATE'S LAWS FOR THE PURPOSE OF DEVELOPING LEGISLATION TO ESTABLISH A STATE-OPERATED BANK.
HCR145	URGING THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR AND INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS TO PRIORITIZE CLEAR, CONSISTENT, AND ACCESSIBLE COMMUNICATION WITH UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFIT APPLICANTS.
HCR154 SD1	CONDEMNING ALL FORMS OF ANTI-ASIAN SENTIMENT AS RELATED TO COVID-19; URGING GREATER INVESTMENT IN FEDERAL, STATE, AND LOCAL RESOURCES TO DEVELOP AND SUPPORT COMMUNITYWIDE SOLUTIONS; AND REQUESTING THE CIVIL RIGHTS DIVISION OF THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE TO IDENTIFY AND ANALYZE INCIDENTS BASED ON ANTI-ASIAN AND ANTI-PACIFIC ISLANDER SENTIMENT AND DISPROPORTIONATE NUMBERS OF HOMICIDES OF ASIAN-AMERICANS AND PACIFIC ISLANDERS BY LAW ENFORCEMENT.
HCR156	ENCOURAGING THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION, COMPLEX AREAS, AND CHARTER SCHOOLS TO IMPLEMENT SCHOOL-WIDE RESTORATIVE JUSTICE PRACTICES IN THE STATE'S PUBLIC AND CHARTER SCHOOLS.
HCR160	URGING THE UNITED STATES CONGRESS TO FORGIVE THE STATE'S OUTSTANDING FEDERAL UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE LOAN BALANCE FOR FEDERAL LOANS BORROWED TO CONTINUE TO PAY FOR UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS.
HCR163 HD1 SD1	REQUESTING THE BOARD OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES TO ENTER INTO A LONG-TERM WATER LEASE WITH THE WAI‘OLI VALLEY TARO HUI FOR THE HUI'S EXISTING USE OF WATER FROM WAI‘OLI STREAM VIA DIRECT NEGOTIATION, UPON ITS COMPLETION OF REQUIREMENTS PURSUANT TO CHAPTER 343, HAWAII REVISED STATUTES.
HCR164	REQUESTING THE CONVENING OF A RETIREMENT SAVINGS TASK FORCE TO ASSESS THE FEASIBILITY OF ESTABLISHING A HAWAII RETIREMENT SAVINGS PROGRAM.
HCR167 HD1	REQUESTING THE HAWAII HOUSING FINANCE AND DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION TO CONVENE A MULTI-AGENCY AFFORDABLE HOUSING TASK FORCE TO DETERMINE A UNIFORM DEFINITION OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING IN THE STATE.
HCR168	CONDEMNING AND DENOUNCING ALL FORMS OF ANTI-ASIAN SENTIMENT AND ALL ACTS OF RACISM, XENOPHOBIA, INTOLERANCE, DISCRIMINATION, HATE CRIME, AND HATE SPEECH AGAINST ASIAN AMERICANS AND ASIAN INDIVIDUALS IN THE UNITED STATES.
HCR169	REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR AND INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS TO CONVENE A WORKING GROUP TO IMPROVE ACCESS TO GOVERNMENT SERVICES FOR IMMIGRANTS AND INCREASE IMMIGRANT OPPORTUNITIES TO MAKE CIVIC AND ECONOMIC CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE COMMUNITY.
HCR170	REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO ENSURE THAT THE DEPARTMENT'S ANNUAL BUDGET REQUEST TO THE LEGISLATURE INCLUDES ADEQUATE FUNDING FOR HAWAIIAN EDUCATION.
HCR171 HD1	URGING THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY TO RECOGNIZE THE VALUE OF CULTURE-BASED REHABILITATION ACTIVITIES IN THE STATE'S CORRECTIONAL SYSTEM.
HCR172	REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF ACCOUNTING AND GENERAL SERVICES, DEPARTMENT OF BUDGET AND FINANCE, AND DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY TO TESTIFY ON ANY LEGISLATION THAT WOULD POTENTIALLY INCREASE OVERCROWDING CONDITIONS AT HAWAII'S CORRECTIONAL FACILITIES.
HCR175	RECOGNIZING THE IMPORTANCE OF 21ST CENTURY DATA GOVERNANCE FOR FACT-BASED POLICYMAKING.
HCR177	URGING THE GOVERNOR TO USE FEDERAL CORONAVIRUS AID, RELIEF, AND ECONOMIC SECURITY ACT FUNDS OR OTHER SUITABLE FEDERAL COVID-19 RELIEF FUNDS TO EMPLOY EIGHTY-NINE-DAY HIRES FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR AND INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS TO EXPEDITE THE PROCESSING OF UNEMPLOYMENT CLAIMS.
HCR178 SD1	REQUESTING THE CONVENING OF A WORKING GROUP TO DISCUSS THE ROLE OF THE AUTHORIZER, ITS RELATIONSHIP WITH CHARTER SCHOOLS, THE ACCOUNTABILITY FOR THE USE OF PUBLIC FUNDS, AND WHETHER OR NOT LEGISLATION IS REQUIRED TO EFFECTUATE ANY DESIRED CHANGES.
HR35	URGING UNITED STATES PRESIDENT JOSEPH R. BIDEN, JR., AND THE ASIAPACIFIC ECONOMIC COOPERATION TO HOLD THE 2023 ASIAPACIFIC ECONOMIC COOPERATION SUMMIT IN HONOLULU, HAWAII.
HR36	URGING THE UNITED STATES CONGRESS TO GRANT ADDITIONAL AUTHORITY TO THE FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION TO STOP UNWANTED AND ILLEGAL ROBOCALLS.
HR37	REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES TO STUDY THE FEASIBILITY OF INCREASING THE MEDICAID REIMBURSEMENT PAYMENT RATE FOR HAWAII'S COMMUNITY CARE FOSTER FAMILY HOMES AND EXPANDED ADULT RESIDENTIAL CARE HOMES FOR MEDICAID RECIPIENTS.
HR39	REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES, IN COORDINATION WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, TO COLLECT DATA ON LESBIAN, GAY, BISEXUAL, TRANSGENDER, QUEER OR QUESTIONING, PANSEXUAL, ASEXUAL, GENDER NON-CONFORMING, AND INTERSEX YOUTH WHO ARE UNDER THE SUPERVISION OF THE COURTS AND THE HAWAII YOUTH CORRECTIONAL FACILITY.
HR42	REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO PROVIDE A REPORT TO THE LEGISLATURE ON PUBLIC SCHOOL CLASS SIZES.
HR43	URGING THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO INCREASE ACCESS TO ARTS AND CULTURAL INSTRUCTION IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
HR44 HD1	URGING THE BOARD OF EDUCATION AND DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO REDUCE THE USE OF STANDARDIZED TESTING IN HAWAII'S PUBLIC EDUCATION SYSTEM.
HR49 HD1	URGING THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO DEVELOP AND IMPLEMENT A PLAN TO REDUCE THE USE OF EXTERNAL CONTRACTS FOR CURRICULA, INSTRUCTION, AND TESTING IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
HR55 HD1	DECLARING A CLIMATE EMERGENCY AND REQUESTING STATEWIDE COLLABORATION TOWARD AN IMMEDIATE JUST TRANSITION AND EMERGENCY MOBILIZATION EFFORT TO RESTORE A SAFE CLIMATE.
HR56	REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO CREATE A LANDSCAPE MANAGEMENT PLAN WITH GOALS TO INCREASE TREE CANOPIES ON PUBLIC SCHOOL GROUNDS, DOCUMENT EXISTING INVENTORY AND TALENT, AND IDENTIFY ADDITIONAL RESOURCES REQUIRED TO IMPLEMENT AND SUSTAIN THE PLAN.
HR61	REQUESTING THE STADIUM AUTHORITY TO IDENTIFY AND DEVELOP APPROPRIATE AREAS WITHIN THE STADIUM DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT TO WITHSTAND THE STRUCTURAL REQUIREMENTS OF A PERMANENT SHIPPING CONTAINER STORAGE AND LAY DOWN FACILITY FOR USE BY PEARL HARBOR WHEN SERVING AS A BACKUP IN AN EMERGENCY THAT RENDERS HONOLULU HARBOR UNUSABLE.
HR62	REQUESTING THE DIRECTOR OF TRANSPORTATION TO ADOPT RULES PURSUANT TO CHAPTER 91, HAWAII REVISED STATUTES, TO REQUIRE VEHICLE INSPECTIONS TO ASSESS THE LEVEL OF NOISE EMITTED BY THE VEHICLE'S EXHAUST.
HR63 HD1	DECLARING THE YEAR 2022 AS THE YEAR OF THE LIMU.
HR67 HD1	REQUESTING THE UNITED STATES FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION TO PROMOTE TRANSPARENCY AND ENFORCEMENT BY PROVIDING INDIVIDUAL PREMARKET TOBACCO PRODUCT APPLICATION APPLICANT INFORMATION OF HAWAII SELLERS TO THE DEPARTMENT OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT PURPOSES.
HR68 HD1	URGING THE UNITED STATES CONGRESS, FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION, AND HAWAII DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION TO TAKE EVERY ACTION NECESSARY TO ADDRESS RAPIDLY INCREASING SAFETY RISKS AND COMMUNITY DISRUPTION RESULTING FROM INSUFFICIENT REGULATION OF RAPIDLY INCREASING OPERATIONS OF TOUR HELICOPTERS AND SMALL AIRCRAFT THROUGHOUT HAWAII SKIES.
HR91	URGING THE UNITED STATES CONGRESS TO ENACT FEDERAL LEGISLATION GRANTING STATEHOOD TO THE PEOPLE OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.
HR95 HD1	URGING THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES, AND UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII TO DEVELOP AND IMPLEMENT A MOSQUITO CONTROL PROGRAM THAT USES WOLBACHIA BACTERIA TO REDUCE MOSQUITO POPULATION LEVELS THROUGHOUT THE STATE.
HR99 HD1	REQUESTING THE CONVENING OF A WORKING GROUP TO DETERMINE THE GAPS IN ACCESS TO HEALTH CARE AND THE POTENTIAL ROLE ADVANCED PRACTICE REGISTERED NURSES MAY PLAY IN ADDRESSING THESE GAPS.
HR100 HD1	REQUESTING THE LEGISLATIVE REFERENCE BUREAU TO CONDUCT AN ANALYSIS OF ADVANCED PRACTICE REGISTERED NURSES AND PHYSICIAN ASSISTANTS.
HR121	REQUESTING THE CONVENING OF A WORKING GROUP TO CONDUCT A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW OF THE STATE'S LAWS FOR THE PURPOSE OF DEVELOPING LEGISLATION TO ESTABLISH A STATE-OPERATED BANK.
HR130	CONDEMNING ALL FORMS OF ANTI-ASIAN SENTIMENT AS RELATED TO COVID-19 AND URGING GREATER INVESTMENT IN FEDERAL, STATE, AND LOCAL RESOURCES TO DEVELOP AND SUPPORT COMMUNITYWIDE SOLUTIONS.
HR132	ENCOURAGING THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION, COMPLEX AREAS, AND CHARTER SCHOOLS TO IMPLEMENT SCHOOL-WIDE RESTORATIVE JUSTICE PRACTICES IN THE STATE'S PUBLIC AND CHARTER SCHOOLS.
HR136	URGING THE UNITED STATES CONGRESS TO FORGIVE THE STATE'S OUTSTANDING FEDERAL UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE LOAN BALANCE FOR FEDERAL LOANS BORROWED TO CONTINUE TO PAY FOR UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS.
HR137 HD2	SUPPORTING AND ADOPTING THE GOALS SET FORTH IN THE DIGITAL EQUITY DECLARATION FOR HAWAII ADOPTED BY THE BROADBAND HUI.
HR139 HD1	REQUESTING THE BOARD OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES TO ENTER INTO A LONG-TERM WATER LEASE WITH WAI‘OLI VALLEY TARO HUI FOR THE HUI'S EXISTING USE OF WATER FROM WAI‘OLI STREAM VIA DIRECT NEGOTIATION, UPON COMPLETION OF THE REQUIREMENTS OF CHAPTER 343, HAWAII REVISED STATUTES.
HR140	REQUESTING THE CONVENING OF A RETIREMENT SAVINGS TASK FORCE TO ASSESS THE FEASIBILITY OF ESTABLISHING A HAWAII RETIREMENT SAVINGS PROGRAM.
HR142	CONDEMNING AND DENOUNCING ALL FORMS OF ANTI-ASIAN SENTIMENT AND ALL ACTS OF RACISM, XENOPHOBIA, INTOLERANCE, DISCRIMINATION, HATE CRIME, AND HATE SPEECH AGAINST ASIAN AMERICANS AND ASIAN INDIVIDUALS IN THE UNITED STATES.
HR143	REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR AND INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS TO CONVENE A WORKING GROUP TO IMPROVE ACCESS TO GOVERNMENT SERVICES FOR IMMIGRANTS AND INCREASE IMMIGRANT OPPORTUNITIES TO MAKE CIVIC AND ECONOMIC CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE COMMUNITY.
HR144	RECOGNIZING THE IMPORTANCE OF 21ST CENTURY DATA GOVERNANCE FOR FACT-BASED POLICYMAKING.
HR146	URGING THE GOVERNOR TO USE FEDERAL CORONAVIRUS AID, RELIEF, AND ECONOMIC SECURITY ACT FUNDS OR OTHER SUITABLE FEDERAL COVID-19 RELIEF FUNDS TO EMPLOY EIGHTY-NINE-DAY HIRES FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR AND INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS TO EXPEDITE THE PROCESSING OF UNEMPLOYMENT CLAIMS.
HR147	REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO PROVIDE FREE MENSTRUAL PRODUCTS TO STUDENTS ON ALL HAWAII PUBLIC SCHOOL CAMPUSES.

State Representative Matthew S. LoPresti, Ph.D. (University of Hawai'i at Manoa) was elected to his third term to the Hawai'i State House in 2020 after two years away. Rep. LoPresti is currently serving as Vice-Chair of the House Committee on Culture, Arts, & International Affairs and also serves as a member on the House Committee on Health, Human Services, & Homelessness, and the House Committee on the Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs.

April 6, 2021

April 2021 Newsletter

April 1, 2021

Pay Raises For Lawmakers Over The Next Year Are Raising Eyebrows

Lawmakers are positioned to receive two pay raises during the year ahead, a move critics described as “unconscionable” at a time of high unemployment and economic desperation in much of the community. Read full story...

March 9, 2021

March 2021 Newsletter

March 3, 2021

In Hawaii, The Death Of A Prisoner Is Often A Closely Held Secret

"For too long, we haven’t known about those kinds of things, and people haven't wanted to talk about those kinds of things, and it has led to, I think, a culture of looking the other way," LoPresti said. "I don’t think that’s the right moral response."

Hawaii corrections officials refuse to publicly release the names of inmates who die in the state's network of prisons and jails, and in most cases never even publicly announce when there has been a death.

In a debate that has dragged on for years, officials with the state Department of Public Safety insist they have no choice because federal law prohibits disclosure of inmate deaths.

Legal experts and justice advocates flatly disagree, and critics of the state policy say that keeping prisoner deaths secret prevents lawmakers and the public from learning if Hawaii jails and prisons are being operated safely or humanely.

Full story...

February 22, 2021

Rep. Matt LoPresti Shares Insights on the Work of Ai Weiwei at the Hawaii Contemporary Art Summit '21

Highlights from the Hawaii Art Summit

At the recent Hawaii Contemporary Art Summit '21, Representative Matt LoPresti of Ewa District 41 took a moment to recognize internationally acclaimed artist Ai Weiwei for his contribution to the upcoming Hawai'i Triennial 2022. Rep. LoPresti taught philosophy at the university level before assuming elected office, and we share a clip of his insights on Ai Weiwei's work from his speech at the Summit.

Link to Hawaii Public Radio's The Conversation audio (Segment starts at the 24:38 mark): https://cpa.ds.npr.org/khpr/audio/2021/02/af_lopresti_f.mp3

February 16, 2021

Hawaii lawmakers again seek disclosure about inmate deaths

Hawaii lawmakers are once again trying to bring greater transparency to incidents of inmates dying in Hawaii's jails and prisons after a past effort to force Hawaii’s Department of Public Safety to release such information largely failed.

Two years ago, the state passed Act 234 requiring the Public Safety director to provide the governor and Legislature with reports on inmate deaths. The reports are required to include the name of the inmate, their gender, age, where they died and whether there is any indication that a sexual assault was associated with the incident. Follow-up reports are required when the official cause of death is determined.

But the Department of Public Safety has routinely withheld much of this information from both lawmakers and the public since the law was enacted, arguing that federal law forbids its release even though other states routinely make it public.

Full story...

February 9, 2021

February 2021 Newsletter

January 27, 2021

Progressive Legislative Caucus Launched

The caucus, a House of Representatives press release explained on Jan. 12, "will focus on the key issues of equality and justice and will work to develop and empower public leaders who will improve the economic and social conditions" in the state.

In that short time Caucus Chair Matt LoPresti says the hui has grown from 16 members to 18 - all of them Democrats: Reps. LoPresti, Sonny Ganaden, Cedric Asuega Gates, Greggor Ilagan, Jeanne Kapela, Bertrand Kobayashi, Nicole Lowen, Lisa Marten, Takashi Ohno, Amy Perruso, Jackson Sayama, Adrian Tam, Tina Wildberger and Chris Todd; and Sens. Stanley Chang, Jarrett Keohokalole, Joy San Buenaventura and Laura Acasio.

LoPresti, who is on his second stint in the House, describes the caucus as a resource for encouraging members to "build up one another, have real policy discussions and debates, and find ways to empower progressive legislative voices and ideas that most Americans in general and Hawaii state residents in particular support."

"We want to build a more just society," LoPresti told me.

For him, that means introducing legislation to raise the minimum wage from $10.10 to $17. Another issue is paid family leave. Both issues were considered in the 2020 session before the coronavirus invaded our state last spring and snuffed out all but the most essential legislation.
Read more...