HI HB1467

Establishes the Strengthen Hawaii Homes Program within the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism to provide grants for retrofitting owner-occupied, single-family homes to improve disaster resilience against hurricanes, earthquakes, wildfires, floods, and other hazards

Limits grant eligibility to homeowners with household income not exceeding 140% of area median income, requiring properties to meet Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety FORTIFIED standards (Roof, Silver, or Gold designations)

Requires homeowners to hire certified evaluators to assess properties and certified contractors to perform retrofit work, with contractors required to maintain $500,000 in general liability coverage and appropriate licensing

Retrofit projects must be completed within six months of grant approval, with grant funds paid directly to contractors only after FORTIFIED certification is issued

Appropriates an unspecified amount from general revenues for fiscal year 2025-2026, with the department required to submit annual reports to the legislature on program outcomes and insurance accessibility trends