SB 1383 Hawaii Senate · 2026 Regular Session

RELATING TO FIRE PROTECTION.

Summary

Amends the laws concerning the Office of the State Fire Marshal to best effectuate the recommendations of the "Phase 3" Forward-Looking Report by Fire Safety Research Institute on the August 2023 Maui wildfires. (SD1)

Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2025

Committee Review

Feb 2025

Senate Passage

Feb 2025

House Passage

Governor

Introduced Jan 21, 2025 Last action Dec 8, 2025

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

SB1383 → SB1383_SD1 · 5 edits

MODERATE

This bill updates legislative metadata and refines the text of fire safety laws to align with recommendations from the investigation into the 2023 Maui wildfires. The changes include renaming the bill to reflect its Senate District 1 origin, correcting the reference to the wildfires from 'Lahaina' to 'Maui', and adjusting the penalty for fire code violations from $500 to $2,500 to increase enforcement leverage.

Scope change

The bill's scope remains focused on fire protection and prevention, but the applicability of penalties has been broadened by increasing the fine amount and allowing daily penalties for continuing violations.

METADATA

Updated bill header and metadata to reflect 'SB1383 SD1' and new sponsors, indicating a procedural change in how the bill is tracked.

CONTEXT

Changed the specific wildfire reference from 'Lahaina' to 'Maui' to ensure accurate geographic context for the legislative findings.

ENFORCEMENT

Increased the maximum fine for violating fire codes from $500 to $2,500 and clarified that each day a violation continues counts as a separate offense.

DEFINITION

Updated the definition of 'Defensible space' to use more precise language regarding persons with limited English proficiency.

REQUIREMENT

Revised the state fire marshal's duties to explicitly include consulting with the insurance commissioner regarding wildfire risk and insurance coverage.

Floor votes

How they voted

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

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Feb 7, 2025

Upper · Passed

Report adopted; Passed Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referred to WAM/JDC.

upper

Feb 7, 2025

Committee

Reported from PSM/LBT (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 80) with recommendation of passage on Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referral to WAM/JDC.

upper

Feb 3, 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

Feb 3, 2025

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on LBT recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in LBT were as follows: 5 Aye(s): Senator(s) Aquino, Lee, C., Ihara, Moriwaki, Fevella; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 0 Excused: none.

upper

Jan 28, 2025

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on PSM/LBT has scheduled a public hearing on 02-03-25 3:00PM; Conference Room 224 & Videoconference.

upper

Jan 27, 2025

Committee

Referred to PSM/LBT, WAM/JDC.

upper

Jan 23, 2025

Introduced

Introduced and passed First Reading.

upper

Jan 21, 2025

Introduced

Pending Introduction.

upper

1 primary · 0 co-sponsors