Hawaiʻi Legislature Passes Landmark Disaster Resilience Legislation
By Climate Advisory Team
With the conclusion of Hawaiʻi’s 2025 legislative session, the Climate Advisory Team celebrates the Legislature’s passage of important bills that strengthen our state’s disaster resilience and climate change mitigation efforts. These bills now head to Governor Josh Green, M.D., to be signed into law.
Together, these measures represent a historic investment to protect Hawaiʻi’s people, environment, and economy from the impacts of a changing climate and support the state’s ongoing commitment to increase disaster resilience in the wake of the tragic 2023 Maui wildfires.
Mahalo to our state legislators and Governor Green for your commitment to delivering meaningful disaster resilience legislation this year. The Climate Advisory Team also thanks the many partners in advocacy and community members who submitted testimony in support of these bills – this legislation would not have been possible without you.
CAT Priority Legislation
The following bills that align with the CAT’s policy recommendations are expected to be signed into law by Governor Green:
SB1396: Relating to Economic Development
This historic legislation establishes a dedicated funding stream for climate mitigation and disaster resilience projects, achieving the Climate Advisory Team’s top recommendation for the 2025 legislative session.
SB1396 affirms that investing in Hawaiʻi’s environment and built infrastructure is, in itself, economic development, and supports the long-term viability of Hawaiʻi’s visitor industry. This law marginally increases the transient accommodations tax (TAT) on hotels, timeshares, and short-term rentals, as well as assesses TAT on cruise ship fares beginning January 1, 2026. This slight increase is expected to generate around $100 million per year in revenue, which will be allocated to projects that make our environment, public infrastructure, and homes more resilient to disasters.
HB1064: Relating to Fire Protection
HB1064 establishes and fully funds the Office of the State Fire Marshal, fulfilling another top priority recommendation of the Climate Advisory Team and the Fire Safety Research Institute (FSRI). This bill is a critical accomplishment to improve the state’s ability to prevent and respond to wildfires.
HB1064 defines the responsibilities, authority, and duties of the Office of the State Fire Marshal, which will help to immediately address the state’s fire-safety priorities. The bill appropriates $2.2 million in funds for staff, operations, costs, and equipment for the office.
Additional Disaster Resilience Bills
The legislature also passed bills that advance wildfire prevention efforts and environmental stewardship programs:
SB223: Relating to Fire Prevention
SB223 strengthens wildfire prevention efforts across the state. It gives the Department of Land and Natural Resources more authority to reduce wildfire risks through brush clearing and fuel management. SB 223 also allows the State Fire Council to update the fire code and require property owners in high wildfire-risk areas to take steps to maintain defensible space. Lastly, it creates a new Community Fuels Reduction Project to clear flammable growth near communities at risk of wildfires, with $1 million in funding for each of the next two years.
HB316: Relating to the Green Jobs Youth Corps
HB316 provides $2 million per year for the next two years to continue Hawaiʻi’s Green Jobs Youth Corps Program, which connects young adults with work and training opportunities in conservation, agriculture, and clean energy. The program, administered by the Department of Land and Natural Resources in partnership with the nonprofit Kupu, aims to reduce youth unemployment while helping the state build a strong workforce to support environmental and energy goals. The bill also allows the program to leverage federal or other outside funding to match state dollars.
SB1044: Relating to the Stabilization of Property Insurance
In response to the growing instability in Hawaiʻi’s property insurance market, especially for condominiums, SB1044 creates new tools to help residents maintain insurance coverage and make necessary building repairs. The bill strengthens the powers of the Hawaiʻi Property Insurance Association and reactivates the Hawaiʻi Hurricane Relief Fund to temporarily offer insurance where private carriers exit the market. It also launches the Condominium Loan Program and a revolving fund, administered by the Hawaiʻi Green Infrastructure Authority, to help condo associations finance deferred maintenance and system upgrades. Additionally, the bill establishes a new loan loss reserves program that incentivizes community-based lenders to offer financing and tasks the Insurance Commissioner with studying long-term insurance solutions.
Mahalo to State Legislators and Advocates
The Climate Advisory Team applauds state legislators for their dedication to delivering meaningful legislation that advances our state’s ability to prepare for and respond to disasters. These laws will make Hawaiʻi’s communities and environment safer and more resilient. Moreover, these laws support our state’s kuleana to take bold, decisive action to ensure that what happened in Lahaina never happens to another community in Hawaiʻi. Mahalo nui to members of the State House and Senate for passing this critical legislation.
The Climate Advisory team also shares its deep gratitude to the many advocates and community members who supported these bills. Your participation in the legislative process is vital. Mahalo nui loa for submitting testimony, contacting your state legislators, and doing your part to make our state more resilient.
