HI SB786

Amends Hawaii Revised Statutes Section 137-2 to require government entities to seek reimbursement for all or a portion (but no less than half) of search and rescue expenses from rescued persons and responsible parties.

Reimbursement is mandatory when a person requires rescue after leaving a hiking trail to enter state, county, or private property closed to the public with closure warning signs, or entering a hiking trail that is closed to the public with closure warning signs.

Establishes reimbursement authority against the rescued person, their estate, guardians, custodians, or any entity responsible for placing the person in danger.

Applies the reimbursement requirement only to rescues caused by reckless hiking behavior on marked closed areas, replacing the prior standard of "intentional disregard for safety."

Effective June 30, 3000 (date appears to be a clerical error).