HR 25: requesting the office of the state fire marshal to convene an electric vehicle fires working group.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.R. NO.	25
THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026
STATE OF HAWAII

HOUSE RESOLUTION

 

 

requesting the office of the state fire marshal to convene an electric vehicle fires working group.

 

 

 

     WHEREAS, the use of electric vehicles across the nation, including in Hawaii, has grown in recent years and continues to grow; and

 

     WHEREAS, most of today's all-electric vehicles and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles use lithium-ion batteries; and

 

     WHEREAS, lithium-ion batteries have been known to explode or catch fire due to a phenomenon called thermal runaway, which is a chain reaction that occurs when the battery experiences a rapid increase in temperature, leading to the release of energy and potentially causing a catastrophic failure; and

 

     WHEREAS, lithium-ion batteries can overheat from being damaged or punctured, being overcharged, or being exposed to high temperatures or direct sunlight; and

 

WHEREAS, the electrolyte liquid inside the battery is flammable, and if the battery is damaged, the liquid can leak out and come into contact with oxygen in the air, potentially igniting and causing a fire or explosion; and

 

     WHEREAS, another major cause of lithium-ion-battery fires is manufacturer defects -- cheap materials and poor quality assurance can introduce impurities or foreign particles into the battery, which can create short circuits and increase the likelihood of thermal runaway; and

 

     WHEREAS, the dangers of a lithium-ion-battery fire occurring in a confined parking structure, particularly if other motor vehicles are nearby, cannot be understated or underestimated; and

 

     WHEREAS, it is prudent for the State to adopt a proactive, rather than a reactive approach, to this matter; now, therefore,

 

     BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Thirty-third Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2026, that the Office of the State Fire Marshal is requested to convene an Electric Vehicle Fires Working Group; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Electric Vehicle Fires Working Group consist of:

 

     (1)  The State Fire Marshal, to serve as Chairperson of the Working Group;

 

     (2)  The Insurance Commissioner, or the Insurance Commissioner's designee;

 

     (3)  The Comptroller, or the Comptroller's designee;

 

     (4)  The Chairperson of the Public Utilities Commission, or the Chairperson's designee;

 

     (5)  A member of the facility maintenance agency of each county of the State; and

 

     (6)  A member of the building permitting agency of each county of the State; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the State Fire Marshal is requested to invite the following individuals to serve as members of the Electric Vehicle Fires Working Group:

 

     (1)  A representative for commercial parking structures; and

 

     (2)  A representative from the condominium industry; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2027, the Electric Vehicle Fires Working Group is requested to submit to the Legislature a report of its findings and recommendations, including recommendations on:

 

     (1)  Updating the State Fire Code, Building Code, and Electrical Code to make parking structures more resilient to electric vehicle fires and for purposes of fire containment;

 

     (2)  Additional training for the county fire departments; and

 

     (3)  Any proposed legislation; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the State Fire Marshal; Insurance Commissioner; Comptroller; Chairperson of the Public Utilities Commission; the director of the facility maintenance agency of each county of the State; and the director of the building permitting agency of each county of the State.

 

 

 

OFFERED BY:

_____________________________

Report Title: 

Electric Vehicle Fires Working Group; Office of the State Fire Marshal