THE SENATE
S.R. NO.
52
THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026
STATE OF HAWAII
SENATE RESOLUTION
requesting the state fire marshal to appoint a hydrogen fire safety expert and provide training on hydrogen-related safety protocols.
WHEREAS, the position of the State Fire Marshal was abolished in 1979, leaving Hawaii as the only state without a state fire marshal; and
WHEREAS, the 2023 Maui wildfires that destroyed substantial portions of Lahaina demonstrated renewed need for a State Fire Marshal to coordinate statewide fire safety; and
WHEREAS, Act 209, Session Laws of Hawaii 2024, and Act 302, Session Laws of Hawaii 2025, were passed to improve statewide fire safety, including through the establishment of the Office of the State Fire Marshal; and
WHEREAS, the Office of the State Fire Marshal performs critical safety functions, including reviewing and assessing the State's fire risk, coordinating fire protection efforts, proposing amendments to the State Fire Code, conducting inspections of state buildings and facilities, and overseeing the training and certification of fire inspectors; and
WHEREAS, hydrogen is an efficient and clean energy source that has numerous practical applications, including in hydrogen fuel cell vehicles; and
WHEREAS, hydrogen fuel, while generally safer than many common fuels because of its nontoxicity and rapid rate of dissipation, still poses safety risks, including the risk of fire; and
WHEREAS, hydrogen is highly flammable, necessitating additional fire safety considerations during handling and use; and
WHEREAS, the National Fire Prevention Association has adopted the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 2 Hydrogen Technologies Code to establish national standards for handling hydrogen; and
WHEREAS, the United States Occupational Safety and Health Administration also provides guidelines on the safe handling and use of hydrogen as a hazardous material; now, therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Thirty-third Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2026, that the State Fire Marshal is requested to appoint a hydrogen fire safety expert who will provide expertise on the implementation of hydrogen fuel production, storage, and distribution facilities and ensure that hydrogen facilities comply with the most recent fire safety standards; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the State Fire Marshal is requested to ensure that the hydrogen fire safety expert holds safety trainings at least twice each year; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the State Fire Marshal is requested to provide ongoing training to county fire departments and building inspectors to ensure that hydrogen-related safety protocols are understood and enforced statewide; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a certified copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the State Fire Marshal.
OFFERED BY:
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Report Title:
State Fire Marshal; Hydrogen; Fire Safety; Expert; Trainings