STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2864

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 2842

S.D. 2

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2024

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred S.B. No. 2842, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO WILDFIRE SAFETY AND PREVENTION,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to improve wildfire safety and prevention efforts in the State.

More specifically, this measure establishes the Wildfire Mitigation Working Group within the Department of Land and Natural Resources to advise and make recommendations to state agencies concerning the State's wildfire safety and prevention efforts.

Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the Office of Planning and Sustainable Development, Democratic Party of Hawaii, Hawaii Forest Industry Association, and Maui Chamber of Commerce.

Your Committee received written comments on this measure from the Department of Land and Natural Resources and Public Utilities Commission.

Your Committee finds that wildfires pose an increasing threat to the communities, natural resources, and economy of the State. Your Committee also finds that a comprehensive and collaborative approach is needed to address this growing challenge. Your Committee further finds that a working group comprising government agencies, fire experts, landowners, and stakeholders is required to identify solutions that address the State's wildfire preparedness and mitigation challenges and improve the State's wildfire preparedness and mitigation practices.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Clarifying the Wildfire Mitigation Working Group's duties with regard to developing and making recommendations to the Public Utilities Commission; and

(2) Making technical nonsubstantive amendments for purposes of clarity, consistency, and style.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Ways and Means that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2842, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 2842, S.D. 2.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Ways and Means,

________________________________

DONOVAN M. DELA CRUZ, Chair