HI SB2979

Establishes the Lahaina Recovery Oversight Commission within the Department of Accounting and General Services to oversee and guide recovery efforts from the August 2023 Lahaina wildfire, which destroyed over 2,000 homes and 800 businesses with estimated damages of $6 billion.

Commission membership includes state legislators representing Lahaina, Maui County Mayor or designee, two Maui County Council members, state agency heads (Superintendent of Education, Comptroller, Director of Business/Economic Development/Tourism, State Disaster Recovery Coordinator), and six residents of Lahaina at the time of the wildfire.

Requires the commission to establish recovery standards, goals, and metrics by December 31, 2024, and to maintain a website (with assistance from Office of Enterprise Technology Services) serving as a clearinghouse for recovery information and public input.

Mandates annual reports to the legislature before the 2026, 2027, 2028, 2029, and 2030 regular sessions covering housing/facilities rebuilding, environmental restoration, infrastructure restoration, and progress toward established goals.

Commission ceases to exist June 30, 2030; includes unspecified appropriation from general revenues for fiscal year 2024-2025; effective date listed as July 1, 2112.