2026-1836 HB2581 SD1 SMA.

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that the State's communities face increasing risks from climate change, sea level rise, flooding, wildfires, drought, hurricanes, and other natural hazards. Recent disasters in the State and across the country demonstrate the importance of strengthening community‑based preparedness and resilience.

The legislature further finds that trusted community gathering places, including schools, libraries, parks, and nonprofit facilities, can serve as neighborhood coordination centers during emergencies. These "community resilience hubs" can provide emergency information, communications, charging stations, and mutual aid services to residents during disasters.

The legislature also finds that federal programs, including initiatives supported by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's National Sea Grant College Program, demonstrate the effectiveness of community-led resilience planning and stewardship. However, additional state coordination, implementation, and support are necessary to expand these efforts statewide.

The purpose of this Act is to establish a Hawaii community resilience hub program within the Hawaii emergency management agency to support the development of community-based resilience hubs across the State and leverage federal, philanthropic, and private-sector funding for disaster preparedness and climate resilience.

SECTION 2. Chapter 127A, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

"§127A- Hawaii community resilience hub program. (a) There is established within the agency a Hawaii community resilience hub program.

(b) The program shall support the development and coordination of community-based resilience hubs that provide emergency preparedness resources, disaster response support, and climate resilience education for communities throughout the State.

(c) The agency shall administer the program in coordination with National Sea Grant College Program at the university of Hawaii; the department of land and natural resources; county emergency management agencies; community-based, nonprofit, and Native Hawaiian stewardship organizations; and other public and private partners as appropriate.

(d) The agency may provide grants, technical assistance, and other support to eligible applicants to establish or enhance community resilience hubs. Eligible applicants may include:

(1) Nonprofit organizations;

(2) Community associations;

(3) Educational institutions;

(4) Cultural or faith-based organizations;

(5) Local government agencies; and

(6) Other organizations that operate trusted community gathering places.

(e) Program funds may be used for activities including but not limited to:

(1) Disaster preparedness training and volunteer coordination;

(2) Community-based climate resilience planning and education;

(3) Emergency communications equipment and internet access;

(4) Installation of renewable energy systems and battery storage to provide backup power;

(5) Water storage, emergency supplies, and disaster preparedness equipment;

(6) Cooling centers, air filtration systems, and public health support during extreme weather events; and

(7) Other resilience-building activities as determined by the agency.

(f) In administering the program, the agency shall seek to leverage additional funding from:

(1) Federal resilience and disaster preparedness programs;

(2) Philanthropic foundations;

(3) Private sector partnerships; and

(4) Other sources of public and private funding.

(g) The agency shall prioritize projects that demonstrate strong community partnerships, serve vulnerable or underserved communities, incorporate culturally grounded stewardship practices, and increase statewide disaster preparedness capacity. The agency shall also prioritize community resilience hub grant applications that demonstrate active participation in the Federal Emergency Management Agency's Community Emergency Response Team Program or other recognized community disaster preparedness programs.

(h) The agency shall submit an annual report of its findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, to the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of each regular session. The report shall include:

(1) The number and locations of community resilience hubs supported by the program;

(2) The types of projects funded;

(3) Amounts of federal, philanthropic, and private funding leveraged; and

(4) Recommendations for improving and expanding the program."

SECTION 3. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $ or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2026-2027 for the establishment and implementation of the Hawaii community resilience hub program.

The sum appropriated shall be expended by the Hawaii emergency management agency for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2055.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.B. NO.	2581
THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026		H.D. 2
STATE OF HAWAII		S.D. 1
		Proposed