STAND.
COM. REP. NO. 733
Honolulu, Hawaii
, 2025
RE: H.B. No. 175
H.D. 1
Honorable Nadine K. Nakamura
Speaker, House of Representatives
Thirty-Third State Legislature
Regular Session of 2025
State of Hawaii
Madame:
Your Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs, to which was referred H.B. No. 175, H.D. 1, entitled:
"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO PROPERTY MAINTENANCE,"
begs leave to report as follows:
The purpose of this measure is to:
(1) Require owners or lessees of real property to maintain their property and establish penalties for failure to do so;
(2) Require the Department of Agriculture to establish rules for the enforcement and collection of fines for violations relating to the proliferation of invasive species; and
(3) Require the Office of the State Fire Marshal to adopt rules for the enforcement and collection of fines for violations relating to the prevention of wildfires and other public safety hazards.
Your Committee finds that approximately one-quarter of land in the State is covered in flammable invasive grasses and shrubs, which puts the State at higher risk of wildfire than sixteen western states. Your Committee further finds that approximately 94.4 percent of residences in the State are vulnerable to wildfires because their communities are within or adjacent too invasive or flammable grasses. This measure addresses these concerns by requiring land owners to maintain their property or be subject to penalties.
As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 175, 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 Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs,
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____________________________ DAVID A. TARNAS, Chair |
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