Bill > SB1383

This bill establishes and empowers the Office of the State Fire Marshal (OSFM) within the Department of Defense in response to recommendations from a report on the 2023 Maui wildfires. The bill creates a comprehensive framework for the state fire marshal's duties, including coordinating fire protection efforts, adopting a state fire code, conducting fire risk assessments, developing statewide training standards, and investigating fires. The OSFM will have the authority to inspect buildings, work with county fire departments, establish minimum fire safety standards, and even enter properties to assess fire hazards. The bill also transfers administrative oversight of the state fire council from the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations to the Department of Defense and gives the state fire marshal significant powers to address fire safety issues, including the ability to standardize fire protection equipment, provide training, and explore ways to reduce wildfire risks. Additionally, the bill ensures that county fire departments cannot adopt fire safety rules that are less stringent than the state fire code and provides a mechanism for the state fire marshal to work collaboratively with county fire chiefs while maintaining overarching authority for fire safety standards across Hawaii.

Budget and Finance, Government Affairs

https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=SB&billnumber=1383&year=2026