STAND. COM. REP. NO. |
Honolulu, Hawaii
APR 0 2 2025
RE: S.C.R. No. 149
S. D. 1
Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi
President of the Senate
Thirty-Third State Legislature
Regular Session of 2025
State of Hawaii
Sir:
Your Committee on Public Safety and Military Affairs, to
which was referred S.C.R. No. 149 entitled:
"SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE OFFICE OF THE
STATE FIRE MARSHAL TO CONVENE A VEGETATION MANAGEMENT WORKING
GROUP TO STUDY, EVALUATE, AND MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS FOR
REGULATIONS THAT DEFINE PROPERTY OWNER OBLIGATIONS FOR
VEGETATION MANAGEMENT ON PUBLIC AND PRIVATE PROPERTY TO
MITIGATE WILDFIRE RISK,"
begs leave to report as follows:
The purpose and intent of this measure is to request the
Office of the State Fire Marshal to convene a Vegetation
Management Working Group to study, evaluate, and make
recommendations for regulations that define property owner
obligations for vegetation management on public and private
property to mitigate wildfire risk.
Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure
from the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, Department
of Land and Natural Resources, Public Utilities Commission,
Hawaiian Electric, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers
Local Union 1260, and Kamehameha Schools.
Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this
measure from Life of the Land.
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Your Committee received comments on this measure from the
Department of Labor and Industrial Relations and Hawaiian Telcom.
Your Committee finds that the tragedy and devastation of the
2023 Maui wildfires underscored the urgent need for comprehensive
vegetation management in the State to prevent another disaster
from occurring. Vegetation management, including the creation of
firebreaks and the removal of buildup of flammable vegetation, is
essential for the mitigation of wildfire risks and the promotion
of safer conditions for the community and the environment.
Accordingly, this measure requests the convening of a Vegetation
Management Working Group (Working Group) to address the wildfire
risks posed by uncontrolled vegetation growth near electric
utility lines in the State by analyzing and making recommendations
on the responsibilities of the owners of the property upon which
the uncontrolled vegetation exists. Your Committee requests that
as a part of this analysis, the Working Group review the practices
of other states, including Washington and Oregon.
Your Committee has amended this measure by:
(1) Clarifying that the Working Group is requested to study,
evaluate, and make recommendations for regulations that
define the respected obligations of property owners,
lessees, licensees, permittees, and holders of easements
for access, utility, or other purposes;
(2) Clarifying that the Working Group is requested to make
recommendations that define a line clearance tree
trimmer and establish minimum safety standards,
training, and qualifications for individuals performing
line clearance tree trimming at or near electric utility
facilities ;
(3) Removing the Director of Labor and Industrial Relations
as an alternative to the State Fire Marshal as the
chairperson of the Working Group and replacing them with
the Adjutant General;
(4) Adding the Superintendent of Education, or the
Superintendent's designee, to the Working Group;
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(5) Adding the Chairperson of the Department of Land and
Natural Resources, or the Chairperson's designee, to the
Working Group;
(6) Removing a representative of a telecommunications
carrier from the list of entities invited to participate
in the Working Group;
(7) Clarifying that the Department of Defense rather that
the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations is
requested to provide administrative support to the
Working Group;
(8) TXmending the transmittal list of recipients of certified
copies of this measure accordingly;
(9) Adding legislative findings;
(10) 7\mending the title of the measure accordingly; and
(11) Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the
purposes of clarity and consistency.
As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your
Committee on Public Safety and Military Affairs that is attached
to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose
of S.C.R. No. 149, as amended herein, and recommends its adoption
in the form attached hereto as S.C.R. No. 149, S.D. 1.
Respectfully submitted on
behalf of the members of the
Committee on Public Safety and
Military Affairs,
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 The Senate
Thirty-Third Legislature
State of Hawai‘i
Record of Votes
Committee on Public Safety and Military Affairs
PSM
Bill / Resolution No.;* Committee Referral: Date:
P5M
__ The Committee is reconsidering its previous decision on this measure.
If so, then the previous decision w^s to:___________________________________
The Recommendation is; /
__ Pass, unamended Pass, with amendments __ Hold __ Recommit
2312 2311 2310 2313
Members Ayex Aye (WR) Nay Excused
ELEFANTE. Brandon J.C. (C)
WAKAI. Glenn (VC)
FUKUNAGA. Carol
RHOADS. Karl
Vz
DECORTE. Samantha
vz
z
z
TOTAL
Recommendation; / / I /
l^v/Adopted Q Not AdoptecI
Chair’s or Designee’s Signature: <^75/^
Distribution: Original \ Yello^/ / Pink Goldenrod
File with Committee Report \ Clerk'sjZmirK*' Drafting Agency Committee File Copy
*Only one measure per Record of Votes
Revised: 12/09/24