HI HCR124

Department of Law Enforcement is requested to convene a Search and Rescue Working Group to develop recommendations for deterring hikers from entering illegal trails and addressing rising search and rescue costs.

Working Group is tasked with examining existing fines or fees, proposing new or amended penalties if appropriate, establishing fee collection processes, and reviewing policies from other states regarding rescue fees.

Working Group composition includes the Director of Law Enforcement, Attorney General, a Judiciary member appointed by the Chief Justice, police chiefs from each county, fire chiefs from each county, and prosecuting attorneys from each county.

Working Group is requested to submit findings, recommendations, and any proposed legislation to the Legislature no later than twenty days before the 2025 Regular Session convenes.

Resolution notes that nearly 1,000 rescues occur annually in Hawaii with costs upwards of thousands of dollars per rescue, and cites six states (Idaho, Maine, New Hampshire, Oregon, South Dakota, and Vermont) that have enacted rescue cost penalty laws.