Requesting The County Of Maui To Study The Feasibility Of Implementing A Universal Basic Income Program For Residents And Business Owners Impacted By The 2023 Maui Wildfires.
Impact
The proposed UBI program is inspired by prior disaster recovery efforts, such as the My People Fund in Tennessee, which provided regular financial assistance to victims of the 2016 Gatlinburg wildfires. Research indicates that providing direct cash payments enhances economic stability, alleviates financial pressures, and boosts recovery outcomes. The resolution posits that implementing a UBI could establish a much-needed safety net that enables affected families to address immediate needs while also promoting longer-term economic resilience in Maui.
Summary
Senate Resolution 78, introduced in the 2025 legislative session, requests the County of Maui to conduct a study assessing the feasibility of implementing a Universal Basic Income (UBI) program for residents and business owners affected by the devastating wildfires in 2023. The resolution acknowledges the significant damage inflicted by the wildfires, which has not only displaced thousands of residents but also severely disrupted the local economy, necessitating targeted recovery efforts.
Contention
Key points of consideration for the feasibility study include determining eligibility criteria, potential funding sources, and the overall economic impact of such a program. There is an emphasis on exploring partnerships with nonprofit organizations and research institutions to evaluate various implementation strategies. The resolution also entails that the findings and recommendations from this study should be reported to the Legislature by a specified deadline, marking an essential step towards legislative action on this proposal.
Additional_info
This resolution aligns with ongoing discussions about the role of direct cash assistance in recovery settings, particularly during extended crises. It calls for proactive measures to support the surging needs of displaced Maui residents while highlighting the importance of public sentiment and potential funding avenues, including federal disaster aid and private partnerships.
Same As
Requesting The County Of Maui To Study The Feasibility Of Implementing A Universal Basic Income Program For Residents And Business Owners Impacted By The 2023 Maui Wildfires.
Requesting The Governor, In Collaboration With The County Of Maui, To Provide A Clear Strategy For Addressing The Short And Long-term Housing Needs For Residents Displaced By The August 2023 Maui Wildfires.
Requesting The Governor, In Collaboration With The County Of Maui, To Provide A Clear Strategy For Addressing The Short And Long-term Housing Needs For Residents Displaced By The August 2023 Maui Wildfires.
Requesting The Department Of Land And Natural Resources To Convene A Working Group To Make Recommendations On Solutions To Reduce Wildfire Risk And The Feasibility Of Establishing A Vegetation Management Program As It Relates To Landowners And Public Utilities.
Requesting The Office Of Planning And Sustainable Development And County Of Maui To Inventory And Map Existing R-1 Water Delivery Systems And Reservoirs In Maui County.
Requesting The Director Of Commerce And Consumer Affairs To Convene A Working Group To Study And Devise Comprehensive Strategies To Restore Accessible Insurance Options To Residents And Commercial Businesses In Lava Zones 1 And 2.
Requesting The Federal Emergency Management Agency To Further Assist Maui Wildfire Victims By Amending Its Requirements Under The Direct Lease Program To Require That Properties Qualifying For The Program And Used By Lahaina Residents As Temporary Housing Be Within Twenty Miles Of Lahaina, Rather Than Within Forty Miles.
Requesting The Department Of Human Services To Conduct A Study On The Feasibility Of Increasing The Medicaid Reimbursement Payment Rate For Hawaii's Community Care Foster Family Homes And Expanded Adult Residential Care Homes For Medicaid Clients In 2032 And Every Ten Years Thereafter.