STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1053

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 223

S.D. 2

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committees on Judiciary and Ways and Means, to which was referred S.B. No. 223, S.D. 1, entitled:

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

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to:

(1) Require the State Fire Council to amend the State Fire Code to require certain owners and occupants of properties located in hazardous fire areas to maintain effective firebreaks within thirty feet of the property and to practice other fire prevention activities;

(2) Establish the Community Fuels Reduction Project to be administered by the Department of Land and Natural Resources;

(3) Require reports to the Legislature; and

(4) Appropriate funds.

Your Committees received comments on this measure from the Department of Land and Natural Resources and Department of Education.

Your Committees find that drought conditions, catalyzed by climate change, can significantly increase the risk of wildfires and pose a threat to the State's natural environment and surrounding communities. Your Committees believe that utilizing strategies such as firebreaks and reducing flammable vegetation will help prevent the rapid spread of wildfires. This measure will take a proactive approach to wildfire prevention to protect the State's communities from devastating natural disasters.

Your Committees have amended this measure by:

(1) Inserting language requiring the Department of Land and Natural Resources to establish an independent program relating to the prevention, control, and extinguishment of wildland fires within forest reserves;

(2) Inserting language authorizing the Administrator of Forestry and Wildlife to establish and maintain facilities for the performance of fire protection, fire prevention, pest control, forest and range protection, and enhancement activities;

(3) Inserting a blank appropriation amount; and

(4) Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity and consistency.

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Judiciary and Ways and Means that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 223, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommend that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 223, S.D. 2.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Judiciary and Ways and Means,

________________________________ DONOVAN M. DELA CRUZ, Chair

________________________________ KARL RHOADS, Chair