HI HB1361

Establishes a fire safety working group within the Department of Public Safety to evaluate whether a full-time state fire marshal's office would be more effective than the existing state fire council for fire safety programs in Hawaii.

Working group shall examine the state fire council's effectiveness with current part-time staffing, oversight responsibilities for state-owned properties, historical reasons for eliminating the state fire marshal's office in 1979, and whether counties should continue absorbing fire council expenses.

Working group membership includes fire prevention representatives from all four county fire departments, county fire chiefs, state fire council support staff, Hawaii Fire Chiefs Association representative, and Department of Transportation aircraft rescue fire fighting division representative.

Working group must submit findings and recommendations to the legislature no later than twenty days before the regular session of 2022 and shall meet at least once per month.

Working group shall cease to exist on June 30, 2023 and is subject to public meetings and financial disclosure requirements under Hawaii Revised Statutes chapters 84 and 92.