Read the full stored bill text
HB201
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
H.B. NO.
201
THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2025
STATE OF HAWAII
A BILL FOR AN ACT
relating
to the state fire marshal
.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
����
SECTION
1.
�
The legislature finds that, on August
8, 2023, the historic town of Lahaina suffered a devastating fire.
�
A confluence of environmental and geographic
factors, combined with preparedness and response conditions, enabled the fire
to rapidly intensify into an urban conflagration resulting in heavy loss of
life, widespread destruction of homes and businesses, and catastrophic impacts
on the community.
����
The
legislature further finds that, in the aftermath of the Lahaina fire, several
independent initiatives were launched to investigate and identify the cause of
the fire, identify preventative action to reduce the risk of fires throughout
the State, and further reforms to bolster fire preparedness.
�
One such initiative, the interim working
groups established by the house of representatives, identified the need for
staff specifically dedicated to wildland fire prevention and proposed the
establishment of the office of the state fire marshal to serve as the staff
dedicated to such wildland fire prevention.
����
The
legislature also finds that, in response to that proposal, Act 209, Session
Laws of Hawaii 2024, was enacted to establish the office of the state fire
marshal, determine the duties and jurisdiction of the state fire marshal, and
fund the office, including the salary for one full-time equivalent permanent
state fire marshal, for fiscal year 2024-2025.
����
The
legislature finds that, subsequent to the regular session of 2024, another
initiative, the Lahaina Fire Incident Analysis Report by the Fire Safety
Research Institute, independently identified the need for a state-funded
organization with the sole responsibility for wildfire readiness, such as a
state fire marshal.
�
The Lahaina Fire
Incident Analysis Report also contemplates greater responsibilities for the
state fire marshal.
�
The legislature
believes that the compensation for the state fire marshal should be
commensurate with the greater responsibilities contemplated in the Lahaina Fire
Incident Analysis Report.
����
Accordingly,
the purpose of this Act is to appropriate funds to supplement the salary for
the state fire marshal.
����
SECTION
2.
�
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 2025-2026 and the same sum or so
much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2026-2027 to supplement the
salary of the one full-time equivalent (1.00 FTE) permanent state fire marshal.
����
The sums
appropriated shall be expended by the
department of labor and industrial relations for the purposes of this Act.
����
SECTION 3.
�
This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2025.
INTRODUCED BY:
_____________________________
Report Title:
DLIR;
State Fire Marshal; Salary; Appropriation
Description:
Appropriates
funds to supplement the salary of the State Fire Marshal.
The summary description
of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is
not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.