Hawaii Senate Bill SCR51

Hawaii 2025 Regular Session

• Introduced: 3/7/25
• Refer: 3/11/25
• Report Pass: 3/31/25
• Engrossed: 4/1/25
• Refer: 4/4/25
• Report Pass: 4/14/25
• Refer: 4/14/25

Caption

Requesting The Office Of Planning And Sustainable Development To Convene A Working Group To Evaluate The Establishment And Administrative Placement Of An Office Of Resilience And Recovery.

Impact

This resolution requests the Office of Planning and Sustainable Development to convene a working group to explore the administrative setup of the Office of Resilience and Recovery, which is anticipated to provide a permanent structural response to disaster events. The working group is proposed to consist of various stakeholders, including government officials and representatives from emergency management agencies, which suggests a collaborative approach to disaster preparedness and response.

Summary

Senate Concurrent Resolution 51 (SCR51) seeks to address the aftermath of the devastating Maui wildfires by establishing a framework for evaluating the creation of a dedicated Office of Resilience and Recovery in Hawaii. In light of over one hundred fatalities and significant financial losses exceeding $12 billion from the wildfires, this resolution expresses the need for improved state capacity to respond to future disasters effectively. The establishment of this office is intended to lead coordination in resilience planning and recovery efforts, based on recommendations from the Hawaii Climate Advisory Team.

Contention

One notable aspect likely to arise during discussions of SCR51 is the specific placement of the Office of Resilience and Recovery. While the Climate Advisory Team highlighted the need for a central office, it did not prescribe its administrative home. This ambiguity could lead to debates over departmental authority and the most effective management strategy for resilience planning within Hawaii's unique governmental structure. As the law advances, stakeholders may express different priorities regarding budget allocations and the integration of resilience efforts with existing state emergency management frameworks.