Rep. Matthias Kusch

Maddy summaryThis House Resolution (HR 81) urges Hawaii's Department of Education to establish an annual Climate Week in all public schools statewide. It aims to directly affect students by promoting climate awareness, education, and participation in environmental projects through school-based activities. The resolution proposes collaborating with environmental organizations to develop interactive, student-led sustainability initiatives during this designated week. As a non-binding resolution, it does not create new laws but encourages existing educational programs to integrate climate action.

Maddy summaryThis House Resolution (HR 103) requests Hawaii's State Commission on the Status of Women to form a working group focused on strengthening state-level protections under Title IX. Title IX is the federal law that prohibits sex discrimination in education programs receiving federal funds. The working group - comprising the Attorney General, education officials, university leaders, and advocacy representatives - will develop recommendations to address gaps in current protections, particularly regarding unreported sex-based discrimination and harassment in Hawaii schools. The group must submit its report to the Legislature by January 2026, with no new laws enacted by this resolution itself.

Maddy summaryThis concurrent resolution urges the University of Hawaii (UH) to create a program specifically addressing housing instability among students, directly affecting UH students facing homelessness or housing insecurity (as noted in a 2020 Hope Center study showing 14% experienced homelessness). It requests UH use findings from its current 2025 survey on student basic needs insecurity to develop this program, strengthen mental health services, and improve awareness of available resources. The resolution is non-binding and serves as a formal request to UH leadership, not a legislative mandate.

Maddy summaryHR 93 is a non-binding House Resolution urging the University of Hawaii (UH) to create a "Homeless Student Stability and Housing Resource Program" to address housing insecurity among students. It cites a 2020 study showing 44% of UH students experienced housing insecurity (including 14% who were homeless), with only 15% receiving emergency aid due to lack of awareness. The resolution requests UH use its ongoing 2025 Basic Needs Committee survey to develop a plan improving housing access, mental health services (noting UH's current 1:4,010 mental health staff-to-student ratio), and resource awareness. This resolution does not create new law but formally asks UH to act based on documented student needs.

Maddy summaryHCR 107 is a concurrent resolution requesting Hawaii’s State Commission on the Status of Women to form a working group focused on strengthening state-level protections under federal Title IX education anti-discrimination law. The working group would include state officials (Attorney General, Superintendent of Education, UH President) and community advocates, tasked with developing recommendations to address gaps in current Title IX compliance within Hawaii schools and universities. It specifically cites underreporting of sex-based discrimination and harassment incidents in state education systems as a key concern. The group must submit its findings and potential legislative proposals to the Legislature by late 2025, with no immediate legal effect.

Maddy summaryHR 107 is a resolution urging Hawaii's Department of Education to submit a detailed report to the legislature on the true cost of school meals. The report must include itemized cost breakdowns for ingredients (noting local sourcing), operational expenses, beverages, supplies, and logistics, plus data on meal types served (full-price, reduced-price, free) and federal reimbursement coverage. It specifically requires cost details for the 2024-2025 school year and projections for 2025-2026 and 2026-2027. The DOE must submit this report by January 2026, aiming to increase transparency around proposed meal price increases affecting students and families.

Maddy summaryThis House Resolution (HR 106) requests the State Auditor to audit the Hawaii Department of Education's capital improvement project finances. It directs the audit to examine how funds were spent since 2021, including project prioritization, to address $2 billion in unspent capital funds and ensure efficient repairs for aging school facilities (over 20% of schools are 100+ years old). The Auditor must submit findings and recommendations to the Legislature by January 2026. The resolution does not allocate new funds or change policies, but seeks transparency in existing spending.

Maddy summaryHCR 110 is a concurrent resolution requesting the State Auditor to audit the Hawaii Department of Education's capital improvement project finances since 2021. The audit will examine how $1 billion in capital funds was spent (received during 2021-2023), including project prioritization, and address $2 billion in unspent funds as of January 2024. The Auditor must submit a report to the Legislature by February 2026, detailing findings and potential recommendations to improve transparency and efficiency in school facility repairs.

Exempts the donation of wild game meat or meat products, including axis deer, to a charitable, religious, or nonprofit organization for the purpose of feeding needy individuals from certain laws regarding the inspection and transportation of meat. Effective 12/31/2050. (SD1)

Appropriates funds for the Native Resources and Fire Protection Program and Hawaii Invasive Species Council to ensure their long-term viability and continue to control and eradicate invasive species in the State. Effective 7/1/3000. (SD1)