Informing the Legislature that on May 29, 2026, the Governor signed the following bill into law: SB3140 HD1 CD1 (ACT 060).

2026 Regular Session

The bill makes the State Fire Council’s budget, including salaries for its administrator and administrative assistant, part of the Department of Law Enforcement’s budget.

Received.

#act060

Summary of SB 3140, HD 1, CD 1 (Act 060) — Hawaii, 2026

Purpose and intent

The bill relates to the Hawaii State Fire Council and makes a adjustments to how its budget is treated within state government.

It clarifies and formalizes the funding mechanism for the State Fire Council’s operations, ensuring its budgetary needs are accounted for within the Department of Law Enforcement’s budget process.

Key provisions and changes

Amends Section 132-18, Hawaii Revised Statutes, subsection (c) to specify that:

The budgetary requirements for conducting State Fire Council meetings and other related functions, including the salaries of the administrator and administrative assistant, shall be included in the budget of the Department of Law Enforcement.

Statutory text clarifies which department bears the budgetary responsibility (Department of Law Enforcement) for the State Fire Council’s activities.

Non-substantive edits include standard formatting changes (bracketed material repealed; new material underscored) to reflect the enacted version.

Who or what is affected

State Fire Council: its budgeting and administrative funding will be integrated into the Department of Law Enforcement’s budget.

Administrator and administrative assistant positions for the State Fire Council: their salaries are explicitly encompassed within the DOE budget.

Department of Law Enforcement (as the budget-holding department): assumes responsibility for the Fire Council’s budgetary needs.

Procedural and timeline aspects

The bill was enacted in the 2026 Regular Session of the Hawaii Legislature.

It was signed into law by the Governor on May 29, 2026, and designated as Act 060.

Effective date: the act takes effect upon the Governor’s approval (May 29, 2026).

Practical impact and considerations

Budgeting alignment: The change centralizes funding for the State Fire Council within the Department of Law Enforcement, potentially improving budget coordination, oversight, and efficiency.

Operational clarity: By tying salaries of the council’s administrator and administrative assistant to the DOE budget, administrative costs become standardized within a single department’s financial framework.

Implications for oversight and reporting: Agencies may experience updated budget reporting requirements and annual budget requests aligned with DOE processes.

If you’d like, I can provide a short compare-and-contrast with prior budgeting arrangements for the State Fire Council, or draft a one-page briefing for stakeholders outlining the financial and administrative implications.