Rep. Matthias Kusch

Maddy summaryThis bill urges county planning and permitting agencies in Hawaii to deny all permit applications for the construction, expansion, or use of warehouses by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement for detaining individuals facing deportation. The resolution directs these agencies to refuse permits specifically for facilities intended to house large numbers of people in warehouse settings, citing concerns about mass incarceration and local resource strain. It is a non-binding recommendation that applies to county-level planning departments across Hawaii's major islands. The bill does not create new laws or penalties but instead asks local officials to exercise their permitting authority to block such facilities.

Maddy summaryThis House Concurrent Resolution urges state agencies that own or control land in West Maui to take immediate action to reduce wildfire risk in Lahaina and surrounding communities. The resolution specifically calls for aggressive vegetation management, fuel reduction, creation of defensible space, and improvement of emergency access routes on state properties. It references the 2023 Lahaina wildfires and ongoing concerns about unmanaged flammable grasses on public lands, noting that agencies like the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation and the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands hold significant land interests in the area. The measure aligns with existing state wildfire management efforts and emphasizes the responsibility of government landowners to proactively address fire hazards.

Maddy summaryThis bill asks the Hawaiʻi Civil Rights Commission to study whether current state anti-discrimination laws cover decisions made by computer algorithms and automated systems. The Commission would examine if existing rules can handle discrimination claims involving artificial intelligence used in hiring, housing, credit, and public benefits. The study will also look at legal challenges, whether new guidance is needed, and if a complaint process should be created for these types of cases. The Commission must submit its findings and any suggested laws to the Legislature before the 2027 session begins. This is a non-binding request for analysis rather than a law that changes rules immediately.

Maddy summaryThis bill urges the County of Maui to actively enforce existing fire code provisions related to brush clearance, fuel breaks, roadside vegetation management, and emergency access. It specifically targets large landowners and properties near residential areas, temporary housing sites, and evacuation corridors where overgrown vegetation poses wildfire risks. The resolution calls for the use of available enforcement tools such as inspections, fines, and citations to ensure timely compliance with rules requiring vegetation clearance within specified distances from structures. By prioritizing enforcement in high-risk zones, the bill aims to reduce wildfire hazards and protect both permanent and temporary housing communities in West Maui.

Maddy summaryThis bill urges state and city transportation departments to collaborate with local community groups to develop and improve the coastal trail system on Oahu's North Shore. The resolution emphasizes the need for safe, non-vehicular pathways to address current unsafe road conditions and encourage walking and biking in the area. It calls for community involvement in all stages of trail planning, design, construction, and maintenance to ensure the trails meet local needs. The measure also references existing efforts like the Complete Streets Ordinance and Vision Zero Action Plan as context for improving transportation safety and accessibility.

Maddy summaryThis bill urges the Hawaii Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism to submit an annual Hawaii Genuine Progress Indicator (HI GPI) report to the state Legislature starting in 2027. The report must be delivered no later than thirty days before each regular legislative session and will provide a holistic assessment of the state's economic, social, and environmental well-being beyond traditional GDP metrics. The resolution specifies that the report should include an executive summary, detailed indicator results across economic, social, and environmental categories, methodology explanations, policy implications, and supporting data appendices. Additionally, the department is asked to make the report available online and send copies to relevant legislative committee chairs. This requirement aims to enhance legislative oversight and inform policy decisions with broader measures of societal progress.

Maddy summaryHCR 6 is a Hawaii legislative resolution affirming that hospitals must provide life-saving emergency care - including abortion services when medically necessary - to stabilize pregnant patients under the federal Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act (EMTALA). It addresses confusion caused by recent shifts in federal guidance about EMTALA's requirements, particularly following the 2025 rescission of federal affirmations supporting emergency abortion care. The resolution urges all Hawaii hospitals, including religiously affiliated ones, to uphold EMTALA's standards without delay or denial of care. It does not create new law but reinforces Hawaii's commitment to ensuring pregnant patients receive timely emergency treatment as required by federal statute.

Maddy summaryThis House Resolution urges Maui Health to partner with state agencies and medical stakeholders to create a full-time medical residency program on Maui, addressing a critical shortage of physicians that worsened after the 2023 wildfires. The bill specifically recommends using federal Rural Health Transformation Program funding to cover initial costs while seeking additional resources from grants and private partnerships. It requests collaboration with the John A. Burns School of Medicine and local health centers, and asks Maui Health to submit a progress report to the Legislature by early 2027. This non-binding resolution aims to improve access to primary care and specialist services for Maui's underserved population without mandating specific actions.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a House Resolution that asks health maintenance organizations in Hawaii to follow state laws requiring them to pay medical claims on time. It highlights that current enforcement of these payment rules is weak and often only happens after complaints are filed. The resolution directs state agencies to ensure HMOs comply with the Clean Claims Statute, which mandates payment within thirty days for paper claims or fifteen days for electronic submissions. The measure aims to protect healthcare providers from financial strain and ensure patients in rural and underserved areas maintain access to care.

Maddy summaryThis bill requests that Hawaii's Departments of Health, Human Services, and Education create a coordinated plan to address fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD), which affect individuals exposed to alcohol during pregnancy. The plan would explore establishing a statewide FASD coordinator, strategies for accessing federal funding, and methods to improve awareness and treatment services across the state. Departments are asked to include recommendations for training healthcare and education professionals, reducing reliance on foster care and the criminal justice system, and lowering economic barriers to early intervention. The departments must submit their findings and any proposed legislation to the Legislature by December 15, 2026.