REQUESTING THE OFFICE OF THE STATE FIRE MARSHAL TO CONVENE AN ELECTRIC VEHICLE FIRES WORKING GROUP.

HCR25

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.C.R. NO.

25

THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026

STATE OF HAWAII

HOUSE CONCURRENT

RESOLUTION

requesting the office of the state fire marshal to
convene an electric vehicle fires working group
.

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WHEREAS, the
use of electric vehicles across the nation, including in Hawaii, has grown in
recent years and continues to grow; and

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WHEREAS, most
of today's all-electric vehicles and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles use
lithium-ion batteries; and

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WHEREAS, lithium-ion
batteries have been known to explode or catch fire due to a phenomenon called
thermal runaway, which is a chain reaction that occurs when the battery
experiences a rapid increase in temperature, leading to the release of energy
and potentially causing a catastrophic failure; and

����
WHEREAS,
lithium-ion batteries can overheat from being damaged or punctured, being
overcharged, or being exposed to high temperatures or direct sunlight; and

WHEREAS, the electrolyte
liquid inside the battery is flammable, and if the battery is damaged, the
liquid can leak out and come into contact with oxygen in the air, potentially
igniting and causing a fire or explosion; and

����
WHEREAS, another
major cause of lithium-ion-battery fires is manufacturer defects -- cheap
materials and poor quality assurance can introduce impurities or foreign
particles into the battery, which can create short circuits and increase the
likelihood of thermal runaway; and

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WHEREAS, the
dangers of a lithium-ion-battery fire occurring in a confined parking structure,
particularly if other motor vehicles are nearby, cannot be understated or
underestimated; and

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WHEREAS, it
is prudent for the State to adopt a proactive, rather than a reactive approach,
to this matter; now, therefore,

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BE IT
RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Thirty-third Legislature of the
State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2026, the Senate concurring, that the Office
of the State Fire Marshal is requested to convene an Electric Vehicle Fires
Working Group; and

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BE IT FURTHER
RESOLVED that the Electric Vehicle Fires Working Group consist of:

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(1)
�
The State Fire Marshal, to serve as Chairperson
of the Working Group;

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(2)
�
The Insurance Commissioner, or the Insurance Commissioner's
designee;

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(3)
�
The Comptroller, or the Comptroller's
designee;

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(4)
�
The Chairperson of the Public Utilities
Commission, or the Chairperson's designee;

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(5)
�
A member of the facility maintenance agency of
each county of the State; and

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(6)
�
A member of the building permitting agency of
each county of the State; and

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BE IT FURTHER
RESOLVED that the State Fire Marshal is requested to invite the following
individuals to serve as members of the Electric Vehicle Fires Working Group:

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(1)
�
A representative for commercial parking
structures; and

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(2)
�
A representative from the condominium industry;
and

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BE IT FURTHER
RESOLVED that no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the Regular
Session of 2027, the Electric Vehicle Fires Working Group is requested to
submit to the Legislature a report of its findings and recommendations,
including recommendations on:

����
(1)
�
Updating the State Fire Code, Building Code,
and Electrical Code to make parking structures more resilient to electric
vehicle fires and for purposes of fire containment;

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(2)
�
Additional training for the county fire
departments; and

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(3)
�
Any proposed legislation; and

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BE IT FURTHER
RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the
State Fire Marshal; Insurance Commissioner; Comptroller; Chairperson of the
Public Utilities Commission; the director of the facility maintenance agency of
each county of the State; and the director of the building permitting agency of
each county of the State.

OFFERED BY:

_____________________________

Report Title:
�

Electric
Vehicle Fires Working Group; Office of the State Fire Marshal