# Hawaii SB 508: RELATING TO SEARCH AND RESCUE.

Hawaii SB 508, RELATING TO SEARCH AND RESCUE., is a 2025–2026 Regular Session (Year 2) Senate bill sponsored by Herbert M. "Tim" Richards III (Democratic); status failed, last action 2026-01-21 (Re-Referred to WLA/PSM, WAM/JDC.) (as of 2026-11-01).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/HI-SB508-2026
- As of: 2026-11-01
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Bill: Hawaii SB 508
- State: Hawaii
- Session: 2025–2026 Regular Session (Year 2)
- Title: RELATING TO SEARCH AND RESCUE.
- Status: failed
- Chamber: Senate
- Introduced: 2025-01-17
- Last action: 2026-01-21, Re-Referred to WLA/PSM, WAM/JDC.
- Sponsor: Herbert M. "Tim" Richards III (Democratic)
- Cosponsors: 10
- Subjects: DLNR, Hiking Trails, Search and Rescue, Hike Safe Card, Search and Rescue Special Fund, Mandatory Reimbursement, Counties, Administrative Rules, Trespassing, Misdemeanor, Appropriation, WLA/PSM, WAM/JDC
- Touches household money: no
- Economic provisions PRIA read: 0

## Summary

Establishes the hike safe card program and search and rescue special fund to be administered by the Department of Land and Natural Resources. Requires government entities to seek reimbursement for all or a portion of search or rescue expenses when the person or entity knowingly enters state, county, or private property, knowingly enters a hiking trail that is closed to the public, or violates applicable laws, provided that the closure is posted by sign, barricade, or other device that gives reasonable notice of the closure. Exempts persons who possess a hike safe card from search and rescue cost reimbursement, under certain conditions. Requires counties and the State Fire Council to adopt ordinances or rules as necessary to pursue reimbursements. Raises the penalty for criminal trespass from a petty misdemeanor to a misdemeanor. Makes appropriations.

## Bill overview

No economic impacts identified for this bill.

## Sponsors and cosponsors

- Sponsor: Herbert M. "Tim" Richards III (Democratic), Senate
- Cosponsor: Stanley Chang (Democratic), Senate
- Cosponsor: Lynn DeCoite (Democratic), Senate
- Cosponsor: Samantha DeCorte (Republican), Senate
- Cosponsor: Kurt Fevella (Republican), Senate
- Cosponsor: Carol Fukunaga (Democratic), Senate
- Cosponsor: Donna Mercado Kim (Democratic), Senate
- Cosponsor: Angus L.K. McKelvey (Democratic), Senate
- Cosponsor: Sharon Y. Moriwaki (Democratic), Senate
- Cosponsor: Joy A. San Buenaventura (Democratic), Senate
- Cosponsor: Glenn Wakai (Democratic), Senate

## Actions (5)

- 2026-01-21: Re-Referred to WLA/PSM, WAM/JDC. (Senate)
- 2025-12-08: Carried over to 2026 Regular Session.
- 2025-01-21: Referred to WTL/PSM, WAM/JDC. (Senate)
- 2025-01-17: Introduced. (Senate)
- 2025-01-17: Passed First Reading. (Senate)

## Bill text

- Original: [HTML](https://data.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessions/session2026/bills/SB508_.HTM), [PDF](https://data.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessions/session2026/bills/SB508_.pdf)

## Related bills

- SB 847: RELATING TO PSYCHOLOGISTS. (became law)
- HB 2344: RELATING TO SCHOOL FACILITIES. (signed)
- HB 2023: RELATING TO TRANSPORTATION. (signed)
- HB 2021: RELATING TO TRANSPORTATION. (signed)
- SB 2338: RELATING TO HOUSING. (signed)
- HB 1973: RELATING TO HEALTH. (signed)

## Sources
- [Original (HTML)](https://data.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessions/session2026/bills/SB508_.HTM)
- [Original (PDF)](https://data.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessions/session2026/bills/SB508_.pdf)

## Related
- [SB 847: RELATING TO PSYCHOLOGISTS.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/HI-SB847-2026)
- [HB 2344: RELATING TO SCHOOL FACILITIES.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/HI-HB2344-2026)
- [HB 2023: RELATING TO TRANSPORTATION.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/HI-HB2023-2026)
- [HB 2021: RELATING TO TRANSPORTATION.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/HI-HB2021-2026)
- [SB 2338: RELATING TO HOUSING.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/HI-SB2338-2026)
- [HB 1973: RELATING TO HEALTH.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/HI-HB1973-2026)
- [Hawaii bills](https://policyrisk.com/states/hawaii/bills)
- [Hawaii state hub](https://policyrisk.com/states/hawaii)
- [All state legislation](https://policyrisk.com/state-bills)

Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/HI-SB508-2026 (as of 2026-11-01).