b"2024 State ReportPost WPMAEXPO HEMA continued24 Legislative Session MauiHawaiis state legislaturehas reached the halfway point ofWildfireits 2024 session. This means lawmakers have had several months to introduce bills on a wide range of issues, from education andMaui Countyhealthcare to environmental protection and economic development. and Hawaii StateMaui CountyThe coming weeks will be crucial as lawmakers debate, refine, andOfficialsin coordina-vote on these bills. The first critical period is often referred to astion with the Federal crossover, where bills passed by one chamber are sent to the oth- Emergency Management er for consideration. In early April, a second crossover will occur,Agency have announced and key decisions will be made about which bills advance, whichtemporary modular home are stalled, and which require amendments to address concerns.group housing projects The August Lahaina wildfire continues to have profound impactsto provide an estimated on state finances. The House lawmakers unanimously approved4,000 interim housing a draft state budget that includes $1 billion to help finance theunits for wildfire survivors. This total includes 169 units being recovery effort for Maui this year and next while maintainingprovided by FEMA, and 450 units being provided by the State of state operations without widespread budget cuts or tapping intoHawaii. The development will occur in land that has long been the Emergency and Budget Reserve Fund. However, the Senateplanned for residential neighborhood development. Many of the has taken a much more dire view of the budget situation in recentLahaina residents displaced by the wildfire still reside in either weeks, instructing state departments to prepare for potentiallyhotels or condominiums arranged by local organizations.painful cuts of 10% to 15%. The on-going removal and disposal of the fire debris/rubble is While state finances play out, it has worked out in retailers favorcontinuing within dedicated zones and is expected to take up to with respect to a proposal to impose a ban on flavored tobaccoanother 12 months to complete. The prioritization of areas for products. The estimated tax revenue losses were up to $90.7clean-up is partially determined on the results of the inspections million if flavored tobacco and vape products were banned. Thisof city infrastructure services, in addition to what patterns are measure is no longer considered for passage this year. most efficient for the contracting crews.One bill that, until recently, had been making its way throughThe Maui County Mayor has requested $401.75MM over the the legislative session would have provided for extended familynext three years to support Lahainas rebuilding and recovery. leave insurance benefits to 16 weeks for businesses that employDuring a State Senate Ways and Means Committee hearing, the one or more employees who meet the hourly qualifications.mayor stated, Never has Maui come to this body with a more HEMA and other state organizations provided written testimonyurgent, critical and justified need, and while I fully recognize you of opposition to this bill, and it also is no longer being consideredare faced with many priorities this session, none are of a higher for passage this year.priority than the people and town of Lahaina. The mayor further stated, Every day, our people are leaving, and this is a conse-From the recovery efforts in Maui to the potential cuts in statequence that I cannot make peace with. He added We must make departments, each decision carries weight and consequence. Theour people whole again, and we cannot do it without the support shelving of the flavored tobacco ban and the ongoing debate overof the state. family leave insurance benefits are indicative of the complex andIn all, rebuilding and recovery estimates would cost the state and multifaceted issues at hand. county $600.5MM, which would target critical infrastructure, Finally, there are also two related measures Relating to Harborhousing, and emergency response.Safety, which would require that the securing of mooring linesFinally, Maui County officials plan to open an office that will from vessels to the States commercial docks, wharves, piers,speed up their self-acknowledged slow process of reviewing quays, and landings be performed by the harbors stevedores. Thebuilding permits, which will help the town of Lahaina recover bills claim that any stevedoring job, mooring operations carry sig- and rebuild as expeditiously as possible. They plan to open this nificant risks, and accidents can have devastating consequences,new permitting review service in April of '24, and it will beeven death. While HEMA originally provided written testimonymanaged by a third-party Vendor.of opposition to the original bill given: (i) potential interruptions to barging scheduling, (ii) anticipated higher costs, and (iii) be-cause it was deemed unnecessary, a subsequent amendment was drafted that no longer garnered full support by HEMA Members. As such, HEMA is no longer providing comment to this legisla-tion. It is currently progressing through the legislature. S40 www.wpma.com / Spring 2024"