HI SB700

Hawaii State Energy Office shall collaborate with state agencies to assess the feasibility of developing resilience hubs at public or private facilities that can provide emergency services to the general public during times of emergency.

Resilience hubs shall utilize renewable energy when feasible and may provide shelter, food, water, medicine, emergency medical services, electricity, telecommunications, internet access, fuel, and electric vehicle charging.

Hawaii State Energy Office shall submit a report with findings, recommendations, and any proposed legislation to the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the 2026 regular session.

The bill cites the 2023 Maui wildfires and climate change impacts as justification for building state resilience and maintaining electricity at facilities during grid disruptions and emergencies.

The Act takes effect January 1, 2491.