STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2943

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 17

S.D. 2

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2026

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred S.B. No. 17, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO WILDFIRE MITIGATION,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to identify methods to mitigate wildfire risks and increase the State's wildfire preparedness.

Specifically, this measure establishes and appropriates moneys for a Wildfire Mitigation Working Group within the Department of Law Enforcement.

Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the Office of the Governor, Department of Hawaiian Home Lands, Office of Planning and Sustainable Development, Public Utilities Commission, Office of the State Fire Marshal, Kamehameha Schools, The Nature Conservancy, Hawaiian Electric, and one individual.

Your Committee received written comments on this measure from the Department of Land and Natural Resources and Hawaii Wildfire Management Organization.

Your Committee finds that the increasing threat that wildfires pose to the State's communities, natural resources, and economy must be addressed through a comprehensive and collaborative approach. Your Committee believes that the establishment of a working group of stakeholders, including government agencies, fire experts, economists, legal experts, industry leaders, and large landowners, will help the State identify solutions that address Hawaii's wildfire preparedness and mitigation challenges.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Inserting language that amends the appropriations made by Act 302, Session Laws of Hawaii 2025, to revise the positions funded for the Office of the State Fire Marshal; and

(2) 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 Ways and Means that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 17, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 17, S.D. 2.

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

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DONOVAN M. DELA CRUZ, Chair