THE SENATE	S.B. NO.	3059
THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

relating to fire prevention.

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

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that prescribed burning is a technique used nationwide to reduce fuel, such as dry grasses, that spark wildfires when combined in a chemical reaction with sufficient heat and oxygen. By denying one of the elements of the chemical reaction, catastrophic fires resulting in widespread damage and potential loss of life may be prevented. The usefulness of prescribed burning at preventing wildfires is reflected in its codification in national and state legislation, such as in Florida, Nevada, and Utah.

The legislature further finds that Act 302, Session Laws of Hawaii 2025, established the office of the state fire marshal and gave the office authorization to develop and administer a community risk reduction program. Unlike Act 303, Session Laws of Hawaii 2025, which required the department of land and natural resources to establish a similar community fuels reduction plan for lands under their control and to report on progress made to the legislature, the office of the state fire marshal and the county fire departments were given discretionary authority to implement and support their program.

Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to:

(1) Require the office of the state fire marshal and the county fire departments to develop and administer the community risk reduction program;

(2) Define "prescribed burn" explicitly and include it as a required part of the community risk reduction program; and

(3) Require the office of the state fire marshal to make annual reports to the legislature on the status and progress of the community risk reduction program.

SECTION 2. Section 132-31, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new definition to be appropriately inserted and to read as follows:

""Prescribed burn" means a planned fire intentionally ignited for the purposes of fuel reduction."

SECTION 3. Section 132-43, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended to read as follows:

"[[]§132-43[]] Community risk reduction program. (a) The office [may] shall develop and administer a community risk reduction program that:

(1) Emphasizes education and methods for the prevention of wildfire risk;

(2) Encourages cost-effective hardening and retrofitting of structures that creates fire-resistant homes, businesses, and public buildings; and

(3) Facilitates vegetation management, prescribed burns, the creation and maintenance of defensible space, and other fuel modification activities that provide neighborhood or community-wide benefits against wildfire.

(b) The [counties may] county fire departments shall opt into the community risk reduction program to provide resources and localized knowledge of the community.

(c) The office or [counties] county fire departments may contract with educational or other nonprofit entities to assist with the administration of the community risk reduction program.

(d) The office shall submit a report to the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of each regular session detailing the progress made toward meeting the requirements of subsection (a)."

SECTION 4. Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken. New statutory material is underscored.

SECTION 5. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2026.

INTRODUCED BY:

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Report Title:

Office of the State Fire Marshal; County Fire Departments; Community Risk Reduction Program; Prescribed Burn; Reports

Description:

Requires the Office of the State Fire Marshal and the County Fire Departments to develop and administer the Community Risk Reduction Program. Defines "prescribed burn" and includes its use within the Community Risk Reduction Program. Requires the Office of the State Fire Marshal to make annual reports to the Legislature.

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