STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1282-24

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2024

RE: S.B. No. 2502

S.D. 2

H.D. 1

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2024

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Higher Education & Technology, to which was referred S.B. No. 2502, S.D. 2, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE GENERATION OF WILDFIRE SUSCEPTIBILITY MAPS FOR HAWAII,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to require the University of Hawaii to establish and implement a two-year program to develop web-GIS wildfire susceptibility and vulnerability maps for the State to determine which communities, landscapes, buildings, and infrastructure are most vulnerable to future wildfires.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the University of Hawaiʻi System and Democratic Party of Hawaiʻi. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Maui Chamber of Commerce.

Your Committee finds that web-GIS wildfire susceptibility and vulnerability maps help identify areas that are more susceptible to wildfire hazard, allow decision-makers to prioritize high-risk areas for targeted risk-reduction strategies, and assist in the development of adaptation policies that lessen the disastrous impacts of future wildfires. Your Committee further finds that decision-makers can use wildfire vulnerability maps to guide zoning regulations to reduce the impact of wildfires on communities. Your Committee also finds that government authorities will be more informed about policies allowing construction in vulnerable areas and locating essential facilities, such as hospitals, schools, and fire stations, in areas that are less vulnerable to wildfires.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Higher Education & Technology that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2502, S.D. 2, H.D. 1, and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Finance.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Higher Education & Technology,

____________________________

AMY A. PERRUSO, Chair