Schmidt, Tyler; commend

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Mandi Ballinger and 5 co-sponsors

HR 159 urges Hawaii counties to create an online list of hurricane shelters, enhancing public safety by ensuring residents and visitors can quickly find safe havens during storms.

House Read and Adopted

Bill Overview

Bill Number: HR 159
Title: Urging the City and County of Honolulu, County of Maui, County of Hawaii, and County of Kauai to Create and Maintain a Comprehensive List of Hurricane Refuges and Shelters Electronically Accessible to the Public
Status: Reported from PBS (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 1887) as amended in HD 1, recommending adoption.
Introduced: January 03, 2025
Classification: Resolution
Subject: Emergency Management, Hurricane Shelters, Publicly Available Information

Purpose and Intent

The primary intent of HR 159 is to enhance public safety and preparedness in the face of hurricanes by urging the local governments of Honolulu, Maui, Hawaii, and Kauai to develop and maintain an easily accessible electronic list of hurricane refuges and shelters. This initiative aims to ensure that residents and visitors can quickly locate safe havens during hurricane emergencies.

Key Provisions

Creation of a Comprehensive List: The resolution calls for the establishment of a detailed and updated list of hurricane refuges and shelters across the specified counties.

Electronic Accessibility: The list must be made available online, ensuring that it is accessible to the public at all times, particularly during hurricane season.

Coordination Among Counties: The resolution emphasizes collaboration among the four counties to standardize the information and ensure comprehensive coverage.

Impact

Public Safety: By providing accessible information on hurricane shelters, the resolution aims to improve community preparedness and response during hurricane events.

Local Governments: The counties of Honolulu, Maui, Hawaii, and Kauai will be responsible for implementing the provisions of this resolution, which may involve additional administrative tasks and coordination efforts.

Residents and Visitors: The general public, including residents and tourists, will benefit from having readily available information on safe locations during emergencies.

Legislative Timeline

January 03, 2025: Bill introduced in the House.

March 07, 2025: Bill offered for consideration.

March 14, 2025: Referred to the Committee on PBS.

March 25, 2025: Scheduled for a hearing by PBS.

March 28, 2025: Committee recommended the measure be passed with amendments.

April 03, 2025: Resolution adopted in final form, with no votes against it.

Related Legislation

HCR 164: A companion resolution that may address similar issues regarding hurricane preparedness and public safety.

This resolution represents a proactive step towards ensuring that communities in Hawaii are better prepared for hurricane threats, ultimately aiming to save lives and reduce chaos during emergencies.

Bill