Bill > HB883

This bill addresses emergency management preparedness in Hawaii by requiring the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency (HEMA) to conduct a comprehensive inventory of all designated emergency shelters statewide, specifically assessing their ability to withstand a category one hurricane or higher. The bill mandates that HEMA collaborate with counties to publish a publicly available list of shelters and their respective hurricane ratings, which will be completed by January 2026. Additionally, the legislation provides funding for a hurricane shelter retrofit program and establishes a dedicated director position to manage the program's activities. The bill recognizes Hawaii's increasing risk of extreme weather events and aims to improve public safety by enhancing shelter information and infrastructure, including expanding the definition of "shelter" to include public buildings constructed after January 2026 that meet specific hurricane protection requirements. The legislation seeks to address the current lack of consolidated information about emergency shelters and the potential shortage of suitable protective spaces during severe weather events, ultimately working to strengthen the state's emergency preparedness and communication strategies.

Military Affairs and Security

https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=HB&billnumber=883&year=2026