RELATING TO FIRE RISK MITIGATION.

SB3241

THE SENATE

S.B. NO.

3241

THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026

STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

relating
to fire risk mitigation
.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

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SECTION 1.
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The
legislature finds that continuous education in fire risk mitigation and fire
safety can produce safer and more resilient condominium communities, resulting
in a reduction of fire incidents, lower insurance costs, and greater public
confidence in multi-unit residential buildings.

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Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to
establish:

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(1)
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A
fire risk management and safety documentation pilot program; and

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(2)
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A
fire risk management and safety documentation working group to oversee the fire
risk management and safety documentation pilot program and to evaluate its
results.

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SECTION 2.
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(a)
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There is established within
the department of law enforcement for administrative purposes only a two-year
fire risk management and safety documentation pilot program.

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(b)
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The purpose of the fire risk management and safety documentation pilot
program shall be to promote proactive fire risk management practices among condominium
associations and owners, county and state fire prevention agencies, and
condominium management and insurance industry stakeholders.
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The fire risk management and safety
documentation pilot program shall:

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(1)
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Encourage
insurers in the State to factor fire safety mitigation practices into rate
setting;

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(2)
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Collaborate
with the state fire marshal and Honolulu fire department to:

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(A)
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Offer
fire safety workshops for property managers and condominium association owners
and boards;

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(B)
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Develop
and distribute educational materials for condominium residents and property
managers; and

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(C)
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Furnish
standardized reporting forms to document and confirm inspection results and
fire safety compliance;

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(3)
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Document
fire safety activities, inspections, and systems, including the installation,
maintenance, and repair of fire safety equipment;

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(4)
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Collaborate
with property management companies to:

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(A)
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Implement
and promote fire safety procedures;

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(B)
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Maintain
records of fire safety activities, inspections, maintenance, and incident
reports;

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(C)
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Submit
documentation of fire risk mitigation and fire safety compliance to insurers in
the State for risk assessment and premium rate setting;

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(D)
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Analyze
and use post-incident reviews to enhance fire safety policies, procedures, and
training; and

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(E)
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Develop
a fire safety certification program which shall attest to the fire safety
mitigation and inspection activities of participating condominium associations.

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SECTION 3.
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(a)
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There is established a fire
risk management and safety documentation working group to oversee the fire risk
management and safety documentation pilot program.

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(b)
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The fire risk management and safety documentation working group shall
comprise the following members:

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(1)
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One
member each from of the senate and house of representatives standing committees
whose purviews include consumer protection, to be appointed respectively by the
president and speaker of the house of representatives;

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(2)
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The
fire chief of the Honolulu fire department or the department's designee;

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(3)
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Three
members representing three condominium association boards, respectively; and

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(4)
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Two
members representing two property management companies;

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(5)
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Two
members representing two Hawaii-domiciled insurers that provide property
insurance in the State; and

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(6)
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The
insurance commissioner or their designee who shall be a non-voting member.

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(c)
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The
fire risk management and safety documentation working group shall:

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(1)
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Select
a representative sample of not less than ten but not more than fifteen condominium
associations in a county with a population of five hundred thousand or more to
participate in the pilot program; provided that the condominium association
board of each participating condominium community shall submit to the working
group annually:

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(A)
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Reports detailing fire safety inspection
results, resident education activities, fire incident summaries, and corrective
actions and future improvements; and

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(B)
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Documentation that the participating
condominium association received a satisfactory fire safety rating using the
modified building fire and life safety evaluation from the Honolulu fire
department or a qualified third-party assessor that is valid for one year;

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(2)
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Collect
data on fire incidents, costs, and insurance responses;

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(3)
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Establish
a secure online data-sharing portal for:

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(A)
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Condominium
association boards to provide a summary of fire safety procedures provided to
insures for integration into risk models; and

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(B)
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Insurers
to share claims trends and insights with the working group and participating condominium
associations;

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(4)
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Collaborate
with insurers to:

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(A)
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Determine
which fire risk mitigation strategies and fire safety documents influence
risk-based pricing; and

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(B)
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Reduce
premiums or lower premiums or reduce and lower premiums for condominiums that
have implemented fire risk mitigation strategies and fire safety procedures;
and

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(5)
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Adjust
program requirements based on fire safety outcomes, insurance claims and
responses, and feedback from participating condominium associations.

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(d)
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The members of the working group shall serve without compensation but
shall be reimbursed for expenses, including travel expenses, necessary for the
performance of their duties.

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(e)
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No member of the working group shall be subject to chapter 84, Hawaii
Revised Statutes, solely because of the member's participation in the working
group.

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(f)
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The department of law enforcement shall provide administrative
assistance to the working group.

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(g)
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The
fire risk management and safety documentation working group shall submit a
report of its findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation,
to the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the
regular session of 2027.
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The report
shall detail:

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(1)
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The
outcomes of the fire risk management and safety documentation pilot program
with respect to fire safety and the type of documentation that would support
risk-based pricing by insurers;

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(2)
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The
level of county or state fire inspections that should be integrated into county
and state fire prevention efforts; and

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(3)
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The
types of grants and incentives that should be integrated into county and state
fire prevention efforts and proactive fire safety improvements.

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(h)
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The fire risk management and safety documentation working group shall
cease to exist on June 30, 2028.

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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 support the
activities of the working group established pursuant to this Act.

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The sum appropriated shall be expended by
the department of law enforcement for the purposes of this Act.

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SECTION 5.
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This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2026.

INTRODUCED BY:

_____________________________

Report Title:

DLE;
Condominium Associations; Condominiums; Fire Risk Mitigation; Fire Safety; Fire
Risk Management and Safety Documentation Pilot Program; Fire Risk Management
and Safety Documentation Working Group; Insurance; Appropriation

Description:

Establishes
the Fire Risk Management and Safety Documentation Pilot Program to promote
condominium fire safety.
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Establishes the
Fire Risk Management and Safety Documentation Working Group to oversee the Fire
Risk Management and Safety Documentation Pilot Program.
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Requires the Department of Law Enforcement to
provide administrative support to the Fire Risk Mitigation and Safety
Documentation Working Group.
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Appropriates funds.

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not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.