Committee advances wildfire, food security, veteran commemoration and shelter measures; votes at a glance

The Committee on Public Safety voted on a series of resolutions March 27 and advanced them to subsequent committee action. Actions and outcomes recorded in committee decision-making included:

Votes at a glance

- HCR 40 / HR (Vietnam veterans medal): Passed as recommended; committee asked the Department of Defense to convene a working group to recommend a commemorative Vietnam veterans medal.

- HCR 117 / HR 109 (food insecurity response plan): Passed as recommended with support from Agribusiness Development Corporation and Hawaii Primary Care Association.

- HCR 140 / HR 132 (West Maui vegetation management and wildfire risk reduction): Passed with House Draft 1 aligning measures to the statewide wildfire strategy and Department of Land and Natural Resources comments.

- HCR 141 / HR 133 (County of Maui enforcement of county fire code): Passed as is; no testimony was received at this hearing.

- HCR 150 / HR 142 (hurricane-rated shelter identification and planning): Passed with technical amendments changing mandatory language to a request to HIEMA.

- HCR 171 / HR 161 (resilience-hub summit): Passed with amendments removing a requirement that the report include proposed legislation and clarifying inclusivity; committee made other edits to address concerns about government overreach.

Committee members recorded a mix of support, technical edits and reservations on some measures. Chair noted technical amendments identified by HMSO where applicable and directed some issues to future committees for further drafting. The committee adjourned after completing the decision-making docket.