HB201 is an appropriations bill that would provide additional funding to supplement the salary of Hawaii’s permanent State Fire Marshal for fiscal years 2025-2026 and 2026-2027. The bill is framed as a response to the 2023 Lahaina fire and subsequent investigations, which identified the need for stronger wildfire preparedness and a dedicated state office focused on wildland fire prevention. It references Act 209 (2024), which created the Office of the State Fire Marshal and funded the position, and states that the salary should reflect the expanded responsibilities contemplated in later fire analysis work.
The bill does not create a new agency or change the fire marshal’s core statutory duties directly; instead, it appropriates general funds to the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations to support the existing full-time state fire marshal position. The measure is limited to salary supplementation and is tied to two fiscal years, with an effective date listed as July 1, 3000 in the bill text, which appears to be a placeholder or drafting artifact rather than a practical implementation date. If enacted, it would affect state budgeting and compensation for the fire marshal position rather than broader regulatory law.
The general sentiment reflected in the bill text is supportive and reform-oriented. The findings emphasize the severity of the Lahaina disaster, the need for improved wildfire readiness, and the importance of adequately compensating the official responsible for that work. Because there are no committee transcripts or recorded votes provided, there is no additional evidence of opposition or debate in the available materials.
Notable points of contention are limited in the record provided. The main policy question suggested by the bill is whether the State Fire Marshal’s salary should be increased in light of expanded duties and heightened expectations after Lahaina. Any disagreement would likely center on the amount of the appropriation, the scope of the marshal’s responsibilities, or broader budget priorities, but no specific objections or amendments are shown in the available context.
Impact
HB201 would amend state spending by appropriating general revenues to supplement the salary of the one permanent State Fire Marshal position for two fiscal years. It would not materially alter the statutory structure of the office, but it would affect the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations’ budget and the compensation of the fire marshal, reinforcing the state’s wildfire-preparedness infrastructure established in Act 209 (2024).
Sentiment
The bill appears to have a generally favorable, responsive tone, grounded in the aftermath of the Lahaina fire and the perceived need for stronger wildfire prevention leadership. The available materials show no recorded opposition, votes, or committee testimony, so the public record here suggests support for strengthening and properly funding the State Fire Marshal role.
Contention
The principal issue implied by the bill is whether the State Fire Marshal should receive supplemental pay because the position’s responsibilities may be broader than originally funded after Act 209. Potential contention would likely involve the size of the appropriation, whether salary increases are the best use of state funds, and how much authority and staffing the office should ultimately have. However, no explicit objections, amendments, or divided votes are included in the provided record.
A resolution to direct the Clerk of the House of Representatives to only present to the Governor enrolled House bills finally passed by both houses of the One Hundred Third Legislature.
Relating to nonsubstantive additions to, revisions of, and corrections in enacted codes, to the nonsubstantive codification or disposition of various laws omitted from enacted codes, and to conforming codifications enacted by the 88th Legislature to other Acts of that legislature.