All Roll Calls
Yes: 262 • No: 3
HawaiiHB 10642025–2026 Regular Session (Year 1)HouseWALLET
RELATING TO FIRE PROTECTION.
Sponsored By: Nadine K. Nakamura (Democratic)
Signed by Governor
Summary
Effectuates the recommendations of the "Phase 3" Forward-Looking Report by Fire Safety Research Institute on the 2023 Maui wildfires and further clarifies the appointment and role of the State Fire Marshal. Establishes the Office of the State Fire Marshal in the Department of Law Enforcement. Establishes the State Fire Marshal Selection Commission. Requires reports to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. (CD1)
State Fire MarshalState Fire CouncilState Fire CodesState Fire Marshal Selection CommissionReportsAppropriationPSM/LBT, WAM/JDC
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
7 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 2 costs, 2 mixed.
Fire violations bring fines and enforcement
The state fire marshal can question witnesses under oath, require witnesses and records, and seek court help enforcing orders. Violating covered fire-protection laws or rules, or disobeying the marshal's orders, can bring a fine up to $2,500. Jail time can reach 30 days, and both penalties can apply. Each day of a continuing violation is a separate offense. Counties can also collect civil penalties under the marshal's penalty framework; these provisions do not set those civil penalty amounts.
Counties gain state fire investigation help
County fire chiefs can request investigation help from the state fire marshal's office; requests are not required. When the office believes fire evidence shows a crime, it must coordinate with the county chief to present evidence to prosecutors. The marshal can require insurers in writing to share investigation information about suspicious or deliberately set fires. Insurers must share relevant material and cooperate when they suspect an insured fire loss was deliberately caused. Information received by the marshal stays confidential until disclosure is required in a proceeding.
Hawaii funds statewide fire safety operations
Beginning July 1, 2025, the law provides the Department of Law Enforcement $2.212 million for each of two fiscal years: 2025–2026 and 2026–2027. The $4.424 million total supports a fire marshal, deputy, office assistant, two inspectors, three investigators, and operations. The State Fire Council joins that department, adds the marshal, advises state leaders, and coordinates with the building code council. It can review state-county fire-code conflicts and adopt rules. Publicly owned fire marshal vehicles qualify as emergency vehicles only with the required authorization and approval.
New commission oversees Hawaii's fire marshal
Beginning January 1, 2026, a seven-member commission within the Department of Law Enforcement oversees the state fire marshal. It can appoint and remove the marshal, reviews performance yearly, and handles complaints, public meetings, and rulemaking. Members receive necessary expense reimbursement but no pay. Creating the commission does not change the employment term of the marshal serving on January 1, 2026. If a marshal was appointed by June 30, 2025, the commission's appointment power starts when that term ends.
Deputy fire marshal loses civil-service coverage
The deputy state fire marshal is exempt from Hawaii's civil-service requirements. This removes civil-service coverage for that position. The state fire marshal was already exempt.
Home inspections have limits and exceptions
The state fire marshal and designees can enter covered property at reasonable hours for authorized inspections or investigations. Ordinary inspections exclude private-home interiors. They can enter a home when they have reason to believe a dangerous fire hazard exists or a fire has occurred. Blocking an authorized inspection is unlawful.
State and county inspection schedules change
The fire marshal's office must inspect every state facility at least yearly. Counties must inspect buildings, premises, and public roads at least every five years, excluding private-home interiors and state facilities. The law removes the separate yearly inspection rule for public schools. County chiefs must also inspect and record possible fire hazards every two years. They must send fire records and investigation statistics every January 1, and hazard inspection records every other January 1.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Nadine K. Nakamura
Democratic • House
Cosponsors
There are no cosponsors for this bill.
Roll Call Votes
Senate vote • 4/30/2025
Senate Floor Vote
Yes: 24 • No: 1
House vote • 4/30/2025
House Floor Vote
Yes: 48 • No: 2
House vote • 4/25/2025
The Conference Committee recommends that the measure be Passed, with Amendments....
Yes: 5 • No: 0
Senate vote • 4/25/2025
The Conference committee recommends that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS....
Yes: 4 • No: 0
Senate vote • 4/8/2025
Senate Floor Vote
Yes: 25 • No: 0
Senate vote • 4/1/2025
The committee(s) on JDC recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENT...
Yes: 5 • No: 0
Senate vote • 4/1/2025
The committee(s) on WAM recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENT...
Yes: 11 • No: 0
Senate vote • 3/14/2025
The committee(s) on LBT recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENT...
Yes: 4 • No: 0
Senate vote • 3/14/2025
The committee(s) on PSM recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENT...
Yes: 5 • No: 0
House vote • 3/4/2025
House Floor Vote
Yes: 49 • No: 0
House vote • 2/24/2025
The committee on FIN recommend that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED. The votes ...
Yes: 15 • No: 0
House vote • 2/11/2025
The committee on JHA recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The ...
Yes: 9 • No: 0
House vote • 2/6/2025
Passed Second Reading as amended in HD 1 and referred to the committee(s) on JHA...
Yes: 50 • No: 0
House vote • 2/5/2025
The committee on PBS recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The ...
Yes: 8 • No: 0
Actions Timeline
Act 302, 07/08/2025 (Gov. Msg. No. 1415).
7/8/2025SenateAct 302, on 07/08/2025 (Gov. Msg. No. 1415).
7/8/2025HouseReceived notice of passage on Final Reading in House (Hse. Com. No. 821).
5/2/2025SenateReceived notice of Final Reading (Sen. Com. No. 888).
5/1/2025HouseTransmitted to Governor.
5/1/2025HousePassed Final Reading, as amended (CD 1). Ayes, 24; Aye(s) with reservations: none. Noes, 1 (Senator(s) DeCorte). Excused, 0 (none).
4/30/2025SenatePassed Final Reading as amended in CD 1 with none voting aye with reservations; Representative(s) Garcia, Pierick voting no (2) and Representative(s) Cochran excused (1).
4/30/2025HouseThe Conference Committee recommends that the measure be Passed, with Amendments. The votes were as follows: 5 Ayes: Representative(s) Belatti, Tarnas, Lamosao, Ichiyama, Souza; Ayes with reservations: none; 0 Noes: none; and 0 Excused: none.
4/25/2025HouseThe Conference committee recommends that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes of the Senate Conference Managers were as follows: 4 Aye(s): Senator(s) Elefante, Aquino, Lee, C., Wakai; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 2 Excused: Senator(s) Rhoads, DeCorte.
4/25/2025SenateReported from Conference Committee (Conf Com. Rep. No. 178) as amended in (CD 1).
4/25/2025HouseForty-eight (48) hours notice Wednesday, 04-30-25.
4/25/2025HouseReported from Conference Committee as amended CD 1 (Conf. Com. Rep. No. 178).
4/25/2025Senate48 Hrs. Notice (as amended CD 1) 04-30-25
4/25/2025SenateConference Committee Meeting will reconvene on Friday 04-25-25 1:30PM in conference room 016.
4/24/2025HouseConference Committee Meeting will reconvene on Thursday 04-24-25 1:30PM in conference room 016.
4/23/2025HouseConference Committee Meeting will reconvene on Wednesday 04-23-25 1:30PM in conference room 016.
4/22/2025HouseBill scheduled for Conference Committee Meeting on Tuesday, 04-22-25 1:45PM in conference room 016.
4/21/2025HouseSenate Conferees Appointed: Elefante Chair; Aquino, Lee, C., Rhoads Co-Chairs; Wakai, DeCorte.
4/17/2025SenateReceived notice of Senate conferees (Sen. Com. No. 828).
4/17/2025HouseReceived notice of appointment of House conferees (Hse. Com. No. 732).
4/15/2025SenateHouse Conferees Appointed: Belatti, Tarnas, Lamosao Co-Chairs; Ichiyama, Souza.
4/14/2025HouseReceived notice of disagreement (Hse. Com. No. 704).
4/11/2025SenateHouse disagrees with Senate amendment (s).
4/10/2025HouseReport adopted; Passed Third Reading, as amended (SD 2). Ayes, 25; Aye(s) with reservations: none . Noes, 0 (none). Excused, 0 (none). Transmitted to House.
4/8/2025SenateReturned from Senate (Sen. Com. No. 723) in amended form (SD 2).
4/8/2025House
Bill Text
Bill Text
HB1064_CD1
HB1064_HD1
HB1064_HD2
HB1064_SD1
HB1064_SD2
Original
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