Rep. Matthias Kusch

Maddy summaryThis bill requests the Hawaii State Energy Office to create an Offshore Wind Energy Working Group to study and provide recommendations on offshore wind development in the state. The working group will gather existing data, engage with community stakeholders, assess the suitability of offshore wind projects, and develop best practices for future initiatives. This measure directly affects state energy officials, local communities near O'ahu, and various government agencies that receive copies of the resolution. The bill aims to balance renewable energy goals with environmental, cultural, and socioeconomic concerns while honoring the legacy of Representative Gene Ward.

Maddy summaryThis bill requests that Hawaii's State Building Code Council and local counties update their building codes to include national standards for off-site construction methods like modular and prefabricated building. The proposed standards would cover planning, design, fabrication, inspection, and mechanical systems to promote faster, safer, and more cost-effective construction while supporting energy efficiency and disaster resilience. The resolution also asks for a statewide registry of pre-approved building designs to streamline the approval process and reduce redundant reviews. Officials are directed to consult with industry stakeholders and labor groups to ensure the new standards fit Hawaii's unique climate and workforce needs before adoption.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a House Resolution that asks Hawaii's Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism to study how to increase remote work opportunities for state residents and make it easier for out-of-state companies to hire them. The resolution directs the department to evaluate ways to clarify tax and regulatory rules for remote employers, simplify hiring processes, and ensure worker protections remain intact while prioritizing long-term Hawaii residents. The department must submit a report with findings and recommendations to the Legislature by early 2027, and copies are sent to state leadership including the Governor and relevant agency directors.

Maddy summaryThis bill requests the Hawaii Board of Education and Department of Education to create a working group that will design a Climate Literacy Seal of Excellence program for public schools. The proposed working group would include educators, university faculty, industry representatives, and student members to develop a framework for recognizing students who complete advanced climate science coursework and experiential projects. The group is tasked with outlining course requirements, certification criteria, teacher training needs, and an implementation timeline, with final recommendations due to the Legislature by early 2027.

Maddy summaryThis House Resolution urges the Governor to reactivate the Hawaii Health Authority to develop a plan for transitioning Hawaii to a single-payer healthcare system. The bill directs the Authority to create a proposal for implementing this system as soon as possible after obtaining federal waivers to maintain Medicare, Medicaid, and TRICARE funding. It requests that the Authority submit a progress report with recommendations to the Legislature by late 2026. The resolution does not enact the healthcare system itself but serves as a formal recommendation to the executive branch.

Maddy summaryThis Hawaii House Concurrent Resolution urges the President and Congress to release all federal records related to the Jeffrey Epstein investigations, with redactions limited only to protecting the privacy and safety of victims. The bill responds to concerns that current federal actions have either exposed victim identities or withheld information about individuals involved in the crimes. It calls for full transparency regarding who was connected to Epstein and how the abuse network operated, while requesting that Congress compel implicated individuals to testify under oath. The resolution is a non-binding statement of intent rather than a law that directly changes federal policy.

Maddy summaryThis resolution urges the Hawaii Department of Health to coordinate stockpiling a three-year supply of mifepristone, a medication commonly used in medical abortions. The bill responds to concerns about potential disruptions in the medication's supply chain and aims to ensure continued access to reproductive healthcare services within the state. It directs the Department of Health to determine the appropriate quantities needed for this stockpile and transmit the resolution to the state health director. The measure reflects Hawaii's existing legal framework protecting reproductive rights and addresses access challenges faced by residents, particularly on islands where in-person abortion care is limited.

Maddy summaryThis House Resolution urges the Governor of Hawaii to reassure visitors that they will be treated safely, legally, and ethically by state law enforcement agencies during their stay. The measure responds to concerns about federal immigration policies allowing warrantless searches of electronic devices and social media, which the bill's sponsors argue could lead to unconstitutional denials of entry. By requesting the Governor's action, the resolution aims to protect Hawaii's reputation and ensure that visitors are not subjected to practices that conflict with constitutional rights and state values. The document is a formal request rather than a law that creates new penalties or mandates specific enforcement actions.

Maddy summaryThis is a non-binding House resolution from the State of Hawaii that urges the President and U.S. Congress to release all federal records related to the Jeffrey Epstein investigations. The document calls for releasing these documents with redactions limited only to protecting the privacy and safety of victims, arguing that current releases have improperly exposed victim identities while hiding information about other individuals involved. It also requests that Congress investigate and compel testimony from all individuals implicated in the Epstein case. Because this is a state-level resolution rather than federal legislation, it does not create new laws or directly affect any specific group beyond expressing the state legislature's position on federal actions.

Maddy summaryThis bill requests the Hawaii State Energy Office to create an Offshore Wind Energy Working Group to study and provide recommendations on offshore wind energy development in the state. The working group will review existing data, engage with community stakeholders, assess the suitability of offshore wind projects, and develop best practices for future development. The bill aims to balance renewable energy goals with environmental, cultural, and community concerns while honoring the legacy of Representative Gene Ward.