b'HAWAIISummer 2024 Energy Marketers Association Report STATE24 LEGISLATIVE SESSION SUMMARY ReportsHawaiis 2024 Legislative Session adjournedon Friday, May 3, and a total of 2,678 bills were introduced during the session with an ad-ditional 257 carryover bills that were considered. A total of 262 bills were passed by the Legislature (143 House Bills, 119 Senate Bills). The Gov-ernor has provided the Legislature with his intent to veto list and has until July 10 to sign, veto, or take no action (effectively enabling bills to become law without his signature).Bob HoodThe signicant focus of this years session was the Maui wildre; however, HEMA President the Legislature was able to address other priorities that included: (i) afford-able housing; (ii) mental health services; and (iii) the high cost of living in Hawaii. The Legislators were able to accomplish funding of approximately $1Bn for Maui response initiatives without reducing the desired nancial resources for the other priority programs in Hawaii. Furthermore, the Leg-islature did not need to access their Rainy Day Fund, but rather was able to fund an additional $300MM deposit this year.State BudgetHawaiis supplemental budget bill for FY25 included a total operatingbudget of $19.2Bn, with approximately $10.4Bn in general funds, nearly $6Bn in capital improvement programs, and the balance in other state-funded programs.Maui WildreThe Legislatures $1Bn funding for the Maui wildre ap-propriated $362MM for the current scal year, and $297MM will be used to pro-vide non-congregate housing for individuals affected by the wildre and $65MM will be deposited into the One Ohana Fund that is being used to provide voluntary settlement payments to families of those who died or were injured in the wildre. In addition, $200MM was approved for insurance claim payments, $186MM for wildre recovery costs, $20MM for wildre response, recov-ery and preventative measures, and another $10MM for re and emergency response equipment.HousingThe Maui wildre amplied the Legislatures belief in the need for afford-able housing and to eliminate illegal short-term rentals, which led to their passing of a bill that enables Hawaii counties to apply additional authority in their regulation of short-term rentals. Maui County is the rst to respond to this legislation by their indication to introduce legislation that will phase-out the nearly 7,000 short-term rentals in Maui County.Furthermore, a reportedly controversial bill passed this session that allows for denser residential development in urban districts. The bill requires each county to adopt ordinances dening its standards to allow for at least two accessory dwelling units on all residentially zoned lots.WPMA News / Summer 202433'