Bill > SCR51

This concurrent resolution requests the Office of Planning and Sustainable Development to convene a working group to evaluate the establishment and administrative placement of a new Office of Resilience and Recovery, in response to the devastating Maui wildfires that caused over 100 fatalities and nearly $12 billion in damages. The working group is proposed to include representatives from various state and county agencies, including the Governor's Office, Attorney General, Board of Land and Natural Resources, Hawaii Emergency Management Agency, state fire agencies, and legislative members, among others. The group's primary task is to determine the most appropriate principal department for the new Office of Resilience and Recovery and its relationship with the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency. This recommendation stems from the Hawai'i Climate Advisory Team's January 2025 policy recommendations, which suggested creating a permanent state resilience office to improve disaster preparedness and response, while acknowledging that current temporary offices lack a clear, centralized responsibility for resilience planning. The working group is requested to submit a comprehensive report with its findings and recommendations to the Legislature by November 30, 2025.

Agriculture and Natural Resources, Budget and Finance, Business and Industry

https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=SCR&billnumber=51&year=2025