STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2179-26

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2026

RE: S.C.R. No. 54

Honorable Nadine K. Nakamura

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2026

State of Hawaii

Madame:

Your Committee on Public Safety, to which was referred S.C.R. No. 54 entitled:

"SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE STATE FIRE MARSHAL TO APPOINT A HYDROGEN FIRE SAFETY EXPERT AND PROVIDE TRAINING ON HYDROGEN-RELATED SAFETY PROTOCOLS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to request the State Fire Marshal to appoint a hydrogen fire safety expert to provide expertise on the implementation of hydrogen fuel production, storage, and distribution facilities and ensure that hydrogen facilities comply with the most recent fire-safety standards.

Your Committee did not receive any written testimony on this measure.

Your Committee finds that although hydrogen fuel is generally safer than many common fuels because of its nontoxicity and rapid rate of dissipation, it still poses safety risks, including the risk of fire. Your Committee further finds that the Office of the State Fire Marshal, which performs vital fire-safety functions, including reviewing and assessing the State's fire risk, coordinating fire protection efforts, proposing amendments to the State Fire Code, conducting inspections of state buildings and facilities, and overseeing the training and certification of fire inspectors, would be an appropriate agency to oversee the safe use of hydrogen fuel.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Public Safety that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of S.C.R. No. 54 and recommends its adoption.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Public Safety,

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DELLA AU BELATTI, Chair