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Bill

HB 2554

RELATING TO SEARCH AND RESCUE.

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Elle Cochran and 5 co-sponsors

Hawaii HB 2554 addresses search and rescue operations through legislative changes pending committee review in public safety, judiciary, and budget committees.

Bill scheduled to be heard by PBS on Friday, 02-06-26 10:15AM in House conference room 411 VIA VIDEOCONFERENCE.
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Bill Summary · HB 2554

Legislative bill overview

HB 2554 is a Hawaii bill relating to search and rescue operations, currently in the early legislative stages. The bill has been introduced and passed its first reading, with referrals to the Public Safety (PBS), Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs (JHA), and Finance (FIN) committees for review.

Why is this important

Search and rescue operations are critical public safety functions that directly affect community emergency response capabilities and potentially save lives. The bill's routing through finance and judiciary committees suggests it may involve funding mechanisms, liability protections, or regulatory frameworks that could impact how rescue operations are conducted statewide.

Potential points of contention

  • Funding allocation – The FIN committee referral indicates budget implications; taxpayers and agency leadership may debate appropriate resource levels for SAR operations
  • Liability and legal framework – JHA referral suggests possible changes to immunity protections or operational authority that could affect responders and government liability
  • Operational scope and jurisdiction – The bill may clarify or expand which agencies coordinate SAR efforts, potentially creating turf conflicts between county, state, and federal entities

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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