Bill > HB1296

This bill establishes enhanced reporting requirements for the Major Disaster Fund in response to the August 2023 Maui wildfires, which caused significant loss of life and destruction in Lahaina. The legislation requires the administrator to submit a detailed report to the legislature within 30 days (reduced from 60 days) of any fund transfer or expenditure, with specific mandatory reporting elements. The report must describe the fund transfer, include a comprehensive accounting of Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) eligible and ineligible expenses, and provide detailed information such as the date of transfer, exact amount, program identification numbers involved, the impact on the original program, and a thorough explanation of the resources' uses and public purposes served. Additionally, by October 1, 2025, the governor and Hawaii Emergency Management Agency administrator must submit a summary report covering the previous fiscal year's fund transfers. The bill is designed to increase transparency and accountability for emergency fund allocations, with a specific focus on tracking the financial response to the Maui wildfires. The provisions will be in effect from July 1, 2025, to July 1, 2026, after which the reporting requirements will revert to their previous form.

Budget and Finance, Government Affairs, Military Affairs and Security

https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=HB&billnumber=1296&year=2025