STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1098

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2025

RE: H.B. No. 1064

H.D. 2

Honorable Nadine K. Nakamura

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Madame:

Your Committee on Finance, to which was referred H.B. No. 1064, H.D. 2, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO FIRE PROTECTION,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to:

(1) Effectuate the recommendations of the "Phase 3" Forward-Looking Report by Fire Safety Research Institute on the August 2023 Maui wildfires and further clarify the role of the State Fire Marshal; and

(2) Appropriate funds for the operations of the Office of the State Fire Marshal.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Defense; Hawaiʻi Climate Advisory Team; Kamehameha Schools; Hawaiian Electric; AARP Hawaii; and Lāhainā Strong. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Office of the Governor; Department of Labor and Industrial Relations; Department of the Attorney General; Department of Land and Natural Resources; Hawaii State Fire Council; and Hawaii Insurers Council.

Your Committee notes the concerns of the Office of the Governor in its written testimony that the Office of the State Fire Marshal and State Fire Council be transferred to the Department of Defense to oversee fire safety and mitigation matters rather than in the Office of the Governor.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Finance that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1064, H.D. 2, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Finance,

____________________________

KYLE T. YAMASHITA, Chair