HI HR127

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

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

Working Group membership includes representatives from DLNR, Transportation, Public Utilities Commission, Consumer Advocacy, Hawaii Invasive Species Council, Legislature, county mayors, electric utilities, telecommunications carriers, the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 1260, and a large landowner.

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

Resolution addresses catastrophic August 8, 2023 Maui wildfires, noting that ninety-nine percent of Hawaii wildfires are human-caused and that invasive grasses like guinea grass and buffelgrass form continuous fuel beds and ignite easily.