STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3548

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.C.R. No. 181

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2024

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Public Safety and Intergovernmental and Military Affairs, to which was referred S.C.R. No. 181 entitled:

"SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A STATEWIDE FIREFIGHTING HELICOPTER PROGRAM,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to request the establishment of a statewide firefighting helicopter program.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Land and Natural Resources, Hawaiian Electric, and one individual.

Your Committee finds that due to its geographical isolation, Hawaii faces major barriers to effective wildfire response. Your Committee further finds that while other states may request out-of-state firefighting agencies under mutual aid agreements to assist in coordinated firefighting efforts due to closer proximity and connected land mass, Hawaii's geographical isolation and unique topography make it increasingly difficult to request similar assistance, only compounding the challenges that local firefighters face in response to a wildfire. Your Committee concludes that a statewide firefighting aircraft program is imperative for the State to fortify resilience against wildfires and enhance emergency management and response capabilities.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Adding language to expand the program to be a statewide firefighter aircraft program to include fixed wing aircraft and drones;

(2) Amending the title in accordance with its amended purpose; and

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

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Public Safety and Intergovernmental and Military Affairs that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of S.C.R. No. 181, as amended herein, and recommends its adoption in the form attached hereto as S.C.R. No. 181, S.D. 1.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Public Safety and Intergovernmental and Military Affairs,

________________________________

GLENN WAKAI, Chair