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HB2439
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
H.B. NO.
2439
THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026
STATE OF HAWAII
A BILL FOR AN ACT
relating
to search and rescue
.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
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SECTION 1.
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This Act shall
be known and may be cited as the "Hawaii State Search and Rescue
Coordinator Act".
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SECTION 2.
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The legislature finds that the State's unique geographic conditions,
including seven hundred fifty miles of coastline and 3,800,000 acres of
undeveloped property, pose significant challenges for search and rescue (SAR)
operations.
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The legislature further
finds that the State is among the highest in the nation for the rate of missing
persons, with recent data highlighting a lack of funding, tools, training, and
technology for statewide search and rescue operations that hinder responses and
compromise outcomes.
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The foregoing is
compounded by the current fragmentation of search and rescue efforts in the
State across over a dozen different agencies and jurisdictions.
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The agencies lack standardized protocols, as
well as a single point of contact who provides daily centralized oversight,
administrative accountability, and the inter-agency communication and coordination
critical to the success of search and rescue operations, including missing
person investigations.
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The legislature
finds that this inefficient, decentralized, and reactive model delays emergency
response efforts among county, state, and federal partners; endangers the
health and safety of residents, visitors, and first responders; degrades the
environment; and unduly burdens the state economy.
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The legislature finds that other states
with significant tourism industries, including California, Florida, New York,
Utah, and Wyoming, treat comprehensive safety as a fundamental component of
their state infrastructure.
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State-level
coordination and oversight of search and rescue operations allow these states
to manage reimbursement funds and insurance programs efficiently, capture
revenue for reinvestment in their respective offices, and provide a unified
search and rescue response across their diverse geographies.
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Conversely, the State's current fragmentation
and fiscally inefficient search and rescue program create a substantial
systemic breakdown in the emergency response infrastructure that risks
life-threatening consequences.
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The legislature recognizes that the
establishment of an office of the state search and rescue coordinator would install
a centralized, proactive authority for search and rescue operations; foster unified
communication and collaboration among all participating federal, state, and
county agencies and volunteer organizations; provide adequate training and
resources to improve search and rescue outcomes and reduce costs; optimize resource
allocation and deployment; and enhance public safety and fiscal efficiency through
streamlined processes.
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A state search
and rescue coordinator would also reduce the aggregate burden on the State
caused by the current fragmentation of search and rescue programs into multiple
departments and jurisdictions who may respond redundantly to the same
emergency.
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The legislature believes that
the newly established office of the state search and rescue coordinator can
achieve a self-sustaining level of operational efficiency and long-term cost
avoidance by leveraging data to decrease incident frequency, by identifying
opportunities for federal and private reimbursement, and by reinvesting tax
revenue from the state's tourism-based industry into the state's safety
infrastructure.
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Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to improve
the efficiency, training, and operations of the state's search and rescue
operations, and thereby enhance public and environmental safety, fiscal
efficiency, economic resilience, by establishing the office of the state search
and rescue coordinator within the office of the governor.
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SECTION 3.
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The Hawaii Revised Statutes is amended by adding a new chapter to be
appropriately designated and to read as follows:
"
Chapter
Search
and rescue
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� -1
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Definitions.
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As used in this chapter:
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"Coordinator" means the state
search and rescue coordinator.
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"Office" means the office of the
state search and rescue coordinator.
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"Participating agencies" means state
and county organizations, designated pursuant to this chapter, that carry out
search and rescue functions in coordination with federal and volunteer search
and rescue organizations.
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"Search and rescue operations"
means any coordinated effort to locate, assist, or recover individuals in
distress or danger, including but not limited to:
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(1)
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Missing
person searches;
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(2)
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Wilderness
rescue operations;
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(3)
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Urban
search and rescue; and
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(4)
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Maritime
and aeronautical rescue operations.
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� -2
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Office of the state search and rescue
coordinator; established.
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(a)
There is established the office of the state search and rescue coordinator,
within the office of the governor for administrative purposes.
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The office shall be headed by a state search
and rescue coordinator, who shall
be hired by and report
directly to the governor.
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The coordinator may hire staff, as necessary,
without regard to chapter 76.
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(b)
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The office shall oversee all statewide search and rescue operations,
including coordination among participating agencies.
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� -3
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State search and rescue
coordinator; powers and duties.
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The
state search and rescue coordinator shall:
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(1)
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Develop
and maintain a statewide search and rescue plan, ensuring compliance with federal
guidelines;
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(2)
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Serve
as the primary point of contact for all statewide search and rescue operations;
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(3)
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Coordinate
search and rescue operations involving participating agencies;
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(4)
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Oversee
the training, certification, and readiness of search and rescue personnel
statewide;
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(5)
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Manage
the allocation and deployment of resources for search and rescue operations,
including mutual aid requests;
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(6)
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Establish
and implement interagency communication protocols to improve coordination and
efficiency during search and rescue operations;
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(7)
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Administer
the search and rescue special fund, pursuant to this chapter, to support
operations, training, and public education initiatives;
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(8)
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Collect
and maintain data on search and rescue incidents, outcomes, and expenditures
within the State and make the data available to the public as permitted by law;
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(9)
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Promote
public awareness and education initiatives to reduce the need for search and
rescue operations and to improve public safety;
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(10)
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Adopt
rules pursuant to chapter 91 and propose updates to statewide search and rescue
policies and procedures, subject to approval
by the office of the governor
;
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(11)
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Ensure
that all search and rescue operations conducted within the State are executed
in accordance with applicable federal, state, and county laws, regulations,
rules, and ordinances;
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(12)
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Submit
an annual report to the legislature no later than sixty days prior to the
convening of each regular session, that includes:
���������
(A)
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A
summary of all search and rescue operations conducted during the reporting
year, including:
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(i)
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The number and types of incidents;
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(ii)
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The agencies and organizations involved;
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(iii)
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The outcomes of the operations; and
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(iv)
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Any challenges encountered;
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(B)
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An
overview of training programs and certification activities, including
participation rates and notable achievements;
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(C)
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A
detailed accounting of expenditures from the search and rescue special fund,
including:
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(i)
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Separate expenditures allocated to operations, training, equipment,
and public education, and for any other purpose;
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(ii)
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Revenue sources and amounts received;
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(iii)
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The remaining balance in the special fund; and
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(iv)
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Any recommendations for the adjustment of expenditures from the
special fund;
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(D)
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Recommendations
for legislative or policy changes to improve the effectiveness and efficiency
of search and rescue operations; and
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(E)
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Any
additional information deemed relevant by the coordinator;
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(13)
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Partner
with applicable national organizations and federal agencies to establish and
oversee uniform mandatory training and certification programs for all search
and rescue personnel in the State, including:
���������
(A)
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Wilderness
and urban search and rescue techniques;
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(B)
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Water-based
rescue and recovery operations;
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(C)
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Use
of technology in search and rescue operations, including:
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(i)
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Cell phone forensics;
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(ii)
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Drone operations; and
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(iii)
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Geographic information systems;
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(D)
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Mass
casualty and disaster response protocols;
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(E)
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Search
and rescue coordination under an incident command system; and
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(F)
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Federal
compliance standards for search and rescue operations;
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(14)
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Conduct
regular statewide training exercises to ensure operational readiness and
interagency coordination; and
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(15)
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Periodically
review and update training programs to reflect advancements in search and
rescue technology and methodologies.
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� -4
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Participation in training programs.
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(a)
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All
participating agencies designated pursuant to section -5 shall
ensure the completion of mandatory training and the maintenance of active
certifications for any of their personnel involved with search and rescue
operations.
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(b)
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Volunteer teams involved in search and rescue operations may participate
in training programs offered by the office.
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� -5
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Participating agencies.
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(a)
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Under the direction of the coordinator, the following agencies shall
participate in search and rescue operations pursuant to this chapter:
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(1)
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The
department of defense, including the Hawaii emergency management agency;
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(2)
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The
department of land and natural resources;
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(3)
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The
department of the attorney general, including the missing child center-Hawaii;
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(4)
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The
department of law enforcement;
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(5)
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Each
county fire department;
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(6)
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Each
county police department; and
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(7)
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Each
country emergency services department;
in
coordination with the United States Coast Guard, the Civil Air Patrol, the
Federal Emergency Management Agency, and volunteer search and rescue teams.
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(b)
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Participating agencies shall:
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(1)
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Designate
a liaison officer to serve as the primary point of contact to the coordinator;
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(2)
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Provide
regular updates on search and rescue operations, related activities, resources,
and capabilities;
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(3)
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Participate
in statewide search and rescue training and planning initiatives; and
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(4)
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Comply
with policies and protocols established by the coordinator.
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(c)
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Volunteer teams shall be encouraged to participate in training and
planning initiatives and operate under the direction of the coordinator.
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� -6
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Search and rescue special fund.
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(a)
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There is established in the state treasury a search and rescue special
fund, into which shall be deposited:
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(1)
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Moneys
appropriated to the fund by the legislature;
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(2)
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Federal
grants designated for search and rescue operations and related activities;
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(3)
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Private
donations and charitable contributions; and
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(4)
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Any
other sources of revenue permitted by law.
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(b)
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Pursuant
to applicable state law, moneys in the search and rescue special fund shall be used,
administered, and approved by the coordinator for:
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(1)
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Operational
and administrative expenses of the office;
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(2)
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Procurement
of tools, equipment, and technology necessary for search and rescue operations
and related activities;
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(3)
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Development
and implementation of training and certification programs;
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(4)
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Support
for interagency coordination and communication systems; and
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(5)
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Public
outreach and education efforts aimed at reducing the need for search and rescue
operations.
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(c)
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The coordinator shall maintain transparent financial records of all
special fund expenditures to be included in the annual report to the
legislature.
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SECTION 4.
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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 to be deposited into
the search and rescue fund.
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SECTION 5.
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There is appropriated out of the search and rescue special fund the sum
of $ or so much
thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2026-2027 for expenses of the
office of the state search and rescue coordinator pursuant to this Act.
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The sum appropriated shall be expended by
the office of the state search and rescue coordinator for the purposes of this
Act.
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SECTION 6.
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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 of the office of the state search and rescue coordinator pursuant
to this Act.
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The sum appropriated shall be expended by
the office of the governor for the purposes of this Act.
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SECTION 7.
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If any provision of this Act, or the application thereof to any person
or circumstance, is held invalid, the invalidity does not affect other
provisions or applications of the Act that can be given effect without the
invalid provision or application, and to this end the provisions of this Act
are severable.
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SECTION 8.
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This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2026;
provided that the state search and rescue coordinator pursuant to section 3
shall be appointed no later than January 1, 2027.
INTRODUCED BY:
_____________________________
Report Title:
Office of
the Governor; State Search and Rescue Coordinator; Search and Rescue; Search
and Rescue Special Fund; Report; Appropriation
Description:
Establishes the Office of the State Search and Rescue
Coordinator within the Office of the Governor.
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Provides for the authority and duties of the State Search and Rescue
Coordinator.
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Designates participating
agencies and their duties with regard to state search and rescue operations and
training.
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Establishes the Search and Rescue
Special Fund.
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Requires reports to the
Legislature.
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Appropriates funds.
The summary description
of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is
not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.