SCR 149 Hawaii Senate · 2025 Regular Session

REQUESTING THE OFFICE OF THE STATE FIRE MARSHAL TO CONVENE A VEGETATION MANAGEMENT WORKING GROUP TO STUDY, EVALUATE, AND MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS FOR REGULATIONS THAT DEFINE THE RESPECTIVE OBLIGATIONS OF PROPERTY OWNERS, LESSEES, LICENSEES, PERMITTEES, AND HOLDERS OF EASEMENTS FOR ACCESS, UTILITY, OR OTHER PURPOSES, FOR VEGETATION MANAGEMENT ON PUBLIC AND PRIVATE PROPERTY TO MITIGATE WILDFIRE RISK, AND MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS THAT DEFINE A LINE CLEARANCE TREE TRIMMER AND ESTABLISH MINIMUM SAFETY STANDARDS, TRAINING, AND QUALIFICATIONS FOR INDIVIDUALS PERFORMING LINE CLEARANCE TREE TRIMMING AT OR NEAR ELECTRIC UTILITY FACILITIES.

SCR 149 is a concurrent resolution requesting the State Fire Marshal to form a working group to study vegetation management practices on public and private property to reduce wildfire risks. The group will examine the responsibilities of property owners, renters, and others with land use rights for managing vegetation, and develop recommendations for safety standards and training for workers trimming trees near power lines. This resolution does not create new laws but seeks to inform future regulations through a formal study focused on wildfire prevention and worker safety.
Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Mar 2025
Committee Review
Apr 2025
Senate Passage
Apr 2025
House Passage
Governor
Introduced Mar 7, 2025 Last action Apr 10, 2025
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

SCR149 SCR149_SD1 · 9 edits
MAJOR
The bill was reformatted from a traditional legislative document into a structured digital template with metadata fields. The substantive policy content was significantly expanded to include new requirements for line clearance tree trimmer safety standards, added new working group members (Department of Land and Natural Resources, Superintendent of Education), and changed administrative support from the Department of Labor to the Department of Defense.
Scope change
The bill's scope was expanded to include safety standards and qualifications for line clearance tree trimmers near electric utility facilities, and the working group composition was modified to include additional state agency representatives.
REQUIREMENT

Added requirements to establish minimum safety standards, training, and qualifications for individuals performing line clearance tree trimming at or near electric utility facilities

Added the Department of Land and Natural Resources Chairperson and Superintendent of Education as new required Working Group members

Changed administrative support provider from Department of Labor and Industrial Relations to the Department of Defense

Added the Adjutant General of the Department of Defense to the list of recipients for certified copies of the resolution

Removed the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations Director as a required Working Group member

Removed the Department of Transportation Director as a required Working Group member (replaced by Department of Land and Natural Resources)

DEFINITION

Added a requirement to define what constitutes a 'line clearance tree trimmer'

ELIGIBILITY

Changed the chairperson of the Working Group from the State Fire Marshal to the Adjutant General's designee

TECHNICAL

Converted document from traditional legislative format to structured digital template with metadata fields including timestamps, version numbers, and language settings

Floor votes

How they voted

This bill passed the Senate by voice vote (no roll call recorded).
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
10
Key actions
4
Committee
6
Apr 10, 2025
Committee
Re-referred to WAL, referral sheet 29
lower
Apr 4, 2025
Committee
Referred to PBS/WAL, referral sheet 28
lower
Apr 3, 2025
Introduced
Received from Senate (Sen. Com. No. 517) in amended form (SD 1).
lower
Apr 3, 2025
Upper · Passed
Report and Resolution Adopted, as amended (SD 1). Transmitted to House.
upper
Apr 2, 2025
Upper · Passed
Reported from PSM (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 1551) with recommendation of adoption, as amended (SD 1).
upper
Mar 24, 2025
Upper · Passed
The committee(s) on PSM recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in PSM were as follows: 5 Aye(s): Senator(s) Elefante, Wakai, Fukunaga, Rhoads, DeCorte; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 0 Excused: none.
upper
Mar 21, 2025
Upper · Passed
The committee(s) on PSM has scheduled a public hearing on 03-24-25 3:05PM; Conference Room 225 & Videoconference.
upper
Mar 12, 2025
Committee
Referred to PSM.
upper
Mar 7, 2025
Introduced
Offered.
upper
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Photo of Lorraine Inouye
Lorraine Inouye
DDemocratic
HI
1