Legislative Activity

The Continued Rapid Ohia Death Response Act of 2025 authorizes $5 million in annual funding through 2036 to combat the fungal disease that has devastated Hawaii’s native Ohia forests. This legislation mandates continued collaboration between federal agencies and the State of Hawaii to advance research, manage ungulate populations, and support reforestation efforts. By sustaining these critical initiatives, the bill aims to prevent the further spread of the disease and restore affected ecosystems.

This resolution supports the recognition of Korean American Day on January 13th of each year. It acknowledges the wide-ranging positive impact of Korean Americans on the United States. The resolution also commemorates the anniversary of the arrival of the first large wave of Korean immigrants to the U.S.

The Health Care Affordability Act of 2025 expands access to premium tax credits by removing the current income eligibility cap, allowing more households to qualify for financial assistance. The bill also introduces a new sliding scale for premium contributions to ensure health insurance costs remain more manageable for families. These changes are set to take effect for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2025.

The Washington, D.C. Admission Act provides for the admission of the State of Washington, Douglass Commonwealth, while maintaining a smaller federal district to serve as the seat of the U.S. government. This legislation establishes the framework for the transition, including the transfer of property, the restructuring of local and federal authorities, and the granting of full congressional representation to the new state's residents. It also creates a transition commission to ensure the orderly shift of legal, financial, and administrative responsibilities.

The Sunshine Protection Act of 2025 proposes making daylight saving time the permanent, year-round standard time across the United States. This change would eliminate the need to biannually "spring forward" and "fall back" by shifting all time zones forward by one hour. States currently exempt from daylight saving time would retain the option to remain on standard time.