HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.B. NO.	1926
THIRTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2024
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

relating to wildfire safety and prevention.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

SECTION 1. Chapter 171, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

"§171-   Wildfire safety advisory board. (a) There is established within the department the wildfire safety advisory board to advise and make recommendations to state agencies concerning the state's wildfire safety and prevention efforts.

(b) The advisory board shall consist of the following members:

(1) The chairperson of the board of land and natural resources, or the chairperson's designee, who shall serve as chairperson of the advisory board;

(2) The chairperson of the state fire council, or the chairperson's designee;

(3) The director of the Hawaii emergency management agency, or the director's designee;

(4) Two members who shall be appointed by the governor;

(5) One member who shall be appointed by the president of the senate; and

(6) One member who shall be appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives.

(c) A member appointed to the advisory board by the governor, president of the senate, or speaker of the house of representatives shall serve a four-year term.

(d) The advisory board shall:

(1) Develop and make recommendations related to wildfire safety and mitigation performance metrics to state agencies;

(2) Create a state wildfire mitigation plan;

(3) Manage and regularly update the state wildfire mitigation plan;

(4) Annually review a minimum of ten wildfire mitigation plans and community wildfire protection plans to determine if the plans substantially conform to or exceed specified recommendations made by the Federal Emergency Management Agency;

(5) Review and provide comments and advice to the public utilities commission as part of the commission's review and approval of an electric utility's wildfire mitigation plan, as required by state law;

(6) Provide other advice and recommendations related to wildfire safety as may be requested by the division of forestry and wildlife; and

(7) Submit a report of its findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, to the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular session for each odd numbered year.

(e) The members of the advisory board shall serve without compensation but shall be reimbursed for expenses, including travel expenses, necessary for the performance of their duties."

SECTION 2. New statutory material is underscored.

SECTION 3. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

INTRODUCED BY:

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Report Title:

DLNR; Wildfire Safety Advisory Board; Members; Duties; Report to Legislature

Description:

Establishes the Wildfire Safety Advisory Board 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.

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.