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HR 58

REQUESTING THE OFFICE OF PLANNING AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT TO CONVENE A WORKING GROUP TO EVALUATE THE ESTABLISHMENT AND ADMINISTRATIVE PLACEMENT OF AN OFFICE OF RESILIENCE AND RECOVERY.

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Linda Ichiyama

Hawaii requests a study to evaluate creating a state Office of Resilience and Recovery and determining its administrative placement to improve disaster preparedness and response coordination.

Reported from WAL (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 1686) as amended in HD 1, recommending referral to FIN.
#officeofplanningandsustainabledevelopment #officeofresilienceandrecovery #workinggroup
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Bill Summary · HR 58

Legislative bill overview

HR 58 requests Hawaii's Office of Planning and Sustainable Development to establish a working group that will evaluate whether to create a new "Office of Resilience and Recovery" and determine where it should be administratively placed within state government. The bill itself does not create the office, but rather directs a study to assess the feasibility and structure of such an office.

Why is this important

Hawaii faces increasing climate-related challenges including sea-level rise, extreme weather, and natural disasters that require coordinated state response. A dedicated resilience and recovery office could streamline disaster preparedness, response coordination, and post-disaster recovery efforts—though it also raises questions about whether creating new bureaucracy is the most efficient approach or whether existing agencies could be better coordinated.

Potential points of contention

  • Administrative redundancy: Hawaii already has multiple agencies handling disaster response (Emergency Management, FEMA liaison offices); critics may question whether a new office duplicates existing functions rather than improving coordination
  • Resource allocation: With state budget constraints, opponents may argue that studying a new office diverts attention and funding from strengthening existing disaster response capacity
  • Placement uncertainty: The working group's central task involves determining where the office would sit in government hierarchy, and disagreement over placement could delay implementation or affect the office's actual effectiveness and authority

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

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