HI HCR148

Department of Land and Natural Resources is urged to convene a Vegetation Management Working Group to study and make recommendations regarding regulations defining property owner obligations for vegetation management on public and private lands to mitigate wildfire risk.

Working Group is requested to focus on reducing wildfire risk and establishing a vegetation management program relating to landowners and public utilities, considering Hawaiian Electric Company's Climate Adaptation Transmission and Distribution Resilience Program and electric utilities' hazard mitigation plans.

Working Group membership includes 13 positions: Chairperson of Board of Land and Natural Resources (chair), Directors of Transportation and Commerce and Consumer Affairs, Public Utilities Commission Chairperson, Hawaii Invasive Species Council representative, one House member, one Senate member, all county mayors, representatives from cooperative and investor-owned utilities, telecommunications carrier, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 1260, and a landowner with over 1,000 acres.

Working Group is requested to submit findings, recommendations, and any proposed legislation to the Legislature no later than 20 days before the 2025 Regular Session convenes and dissolve on June 30, 2025.