SB 130: RELATING TO SEARCH AND RESCUE.

A BILL FOR AN ACT

RELATING TO SEARCH AND RESCUE.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that Hawaii is an outdoor playground world-renowned for its beautiful hikes through lush green forests and mountains.  However, the coronavirus pandemic fueled a sustained surge of experienced and inexperienced hikers venturing outdoors.  Occasionally, hikers ignore posted warning signs, intentionally leave a hiking trail, or enter property that is closed to the public.  When one of these hikers needs to be rescued, it is government entities that bear the costs associated with the search or rescue.

     The legislature further finds that in response to having to pay the cost of rescuing recreational hikers who take unnecessary risks, several states, including Idaho, Maine, New Hampshire, Oregon, South Dakota, and Vermont, have passed legislation that allows the state to offset the costs associated with the search or rescue by seeking reimbursement from the rescued party.

     The purpose of this Act is to require government entities to seek reimbursement for all or a portion of search or rescue expenses for persons who require rescue after:

     (1)  Leaving a hiking trail and entering state, county, or private property that is closed to the public and is marked with a sign giving notice of the closure; or

     (2)  Entering a hiking trail that is closed to the public and marked with a sign giving notice of the closure.

     SECTION 2.  Section 137-2, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended to read as follows:

     "[[]§137-2[]]  Reimbursement.  (a)  [Whenever] Subject to subsection (b), whenever any government entity engages in a search or rescue operation for the purpose of searching for or rescuing a person, and incurs search and rescue expenses therein, the government entity may seek reimbursement from the following:

     (1)  The person on whose behalf search or rescue operations were conducted, including the person's estate, guardians, custodians, or other entity responsible for the person's safety;

     (2)  A person who ultimately benefited from a search or rescue operation by being rescued; or

     (3)  Any entity responsible for placing the person in the position of danger for which the search or rescue operation was initiated.

     (b)  [Reimbursement under subsection (a) shall be allowed only if the need for search or rescue was caused by any act or omission by the person searched for or rescued, constituting intentional disregard for the person's safety, including, but not limited to, intentionally disregarding a warning or notice.] A government entity shall seek reimbursement for all or a portion, but not less than half, of search or rescue expenses from all applicable persons or entities pursuant to subsection (a) if the need for the search or rescue was the result of the person:

     (1)  Leaving a hiking trail and entering state, county, or private property that is closed to the public and marked with a sign giving notice of the closure; or

     (2)  Entering a hiking trail that is closed to the public and marked with a sign giving notice of the closure."

     SECTION 3.  This Act does not affect rights and duties that matured, penalties that were incurred, and proceedings that were begun before its effective date.

     SECTION 4.  Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 5.  This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

Report Title:

Hiking Trails; Search and Rescue; Trespassing; Reimbursement; Signage

Description:

Requires government entities to seek reimbursement for all or a portion of search or rescue expenses for persons who require rescue after leaving a hiking trail to enter an area closed to the public or hiking on a trail closed to the public, and there is a sign giving notice of the closure.

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.

STAND. COM. REP. NO. 59

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.B. No. 130

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committees on Water and Land and Public Safety and Military Affairs, to which was referred S.B. No. 130 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO SEARCH AND RESCUE,"

beg leave to report as follows:

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to require government entities to seek reimbursement for all or a portion of search or rescue expenses for persons who require rescue after:

     (1)  Leaving a hiking trail and entering state, county, or private property that is closed to the public and is marked with a sign giving notice of the closure; or

     (2)  Entering a hiking trail that is closed to the public and marked with a sign giving notice of the closure.

     Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from ten individuals.

     Your Committees find that inexperienced and experienced hikers occasionally ignore posted warning signs, intentionally leave a hiking trail, or enter property that is closed to the public.  While search and rescue of lost or injured persons are anticipated and part of the expected operations of first responders, when an individual chooses to ignore the warnings of government agencies or private landowners to maintain public safety, ongoing operations must be put on hold and agencies must incur additional, unbudgeted costs and expenses to find and rescue these individuals.  Your Committees note that when one of these hikers needs to be rescued, it is the State that bears the burden of paying for the costs associated with the search or rescue.  This measure will allow the State to offset costs associated with the search and rescue of hikers who take unnecessary risks by requiring government entities to seek reimbursement from the rescued party.

     As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Water and Land and Public Safety and Military Affairs that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 130 and recommend that it pass Second Reading and be referred to your Committees on Judiciary and Ways and Means.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Water and Land and Public Safety and Military Affairs,