Bill > HB175

This bill establishes comprehensive requirements for property owners and lessees to maintain their real property in Hawaii, focusing on preventing environmental and public safety hazards. The legislation mandates that property owners must actively manage their land to prevent the spread of invasive species, reduce wildfire risks, and eliminate public safety hazards like overgrown vegetation blocking pathways or emergency access. If property owners fail to maintain their land, they can be issued a written notice specifying corrective actions within 30 days, and failure to comply can result in substantial penalties, including civil fines ranging from $1,000 to $10,000 per violation, additional daily fines of $100, and potential reimbursement of remediation costs. The bill grants exceptions for properties under active restoration or conservation plans and circumstances beyond an owner's reasonable control. The Department of Agriculture and the Office of the State Fire Marshal are tasked with developing rules for inspection, enforcement, and fine collection, with county governments also required to adopt implementing ordinances. Collected fines must be used for invasive species control, wildfire prevention, or community education initiatives. The law emphasizes that these new requirements do not replace existing property maintenance responsibilities and is intended to protect Hawaii's ecosystems and community safety.

Agriculture and Natural Resources, Budget and Finance, Justice

https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=HB&billnumber=175&year=2026