Hawaii Senate Bill SB1374

Hawaii 2025 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/23/25
• Refer: 1/27/25

Caption

Making An Emergency Appropriation To The Public Utilities Commission.

Summary

SB1374 makes an emergency appropriation of $700,000 from the Public Utilities Commission Special Fund for fiscal year 2024-2025. The money is intended to allow the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) to hire specialized consultants to provide technical assessments, evaluations, and recommendations related to electric utility resilience and reliability. The bill frames this appropriation as a response to the Maui wildfires of August 8, 2023, and the broader threat of wildfires and other natural hazards. It emphasizes the need to strengthen critical infrastructure, reduce storm-related power outages, support grid restoration, assist with rebuilding Maui infrastructure, and prepare the state’s electric system for future disasters. The measure is designated as an emergency appropriation and is intended to take effect upon approval.

Impact

The bill does not create a new regulatory program or amend utility law directly, but it does authorize a one-time expenditure from the Public Utilities Commission Special Fund under section 269-33, Hawaii Revised Statutes. Its practical effect is to increase the PUC’s capacity to handle utility-related dockets and disaster-resilience work by funding outside expertise. The appropriation is limited to the stated fiscal year and must be spent by the PUC for the purposes described in the act.

Sentiment

The available context suggests generally supportive and urgent sentiment around the bill. The measure is introduced by request and expressly identified as recommended by the governor for immediate passage, which indicates executive support and a sense of legislative urgency. The bill’s findings tie the appropriation to wildfire recovery and infrastructure resilience, framing it as a necessary response to a major public safety and utility reliability challenge.

Contention

No committee testimony, vote record, or recorded debate is provided, so there is no direct evidence of opposition in the available materials. The main policy question implied by the bill is whether the PUC should receive emergency funding for outside consultants and whether that spending is the best use of the special fund. Any contention would likely center on the size of the appropriation, the use of consultant services rather than direct staffing or infrastructure spending, and the scope of the PUC’s role in wildfire and grid-resilience planning.