All Roll Calls
Yes: 101 • No: 0
HawaiiHB 15312025–2026 Regular Session (Year 2)House
RELATING TO EMERGENCY ANNOUNCEMENTS.
Sponsored By: Sam Satoru Kong (Democratic)
Passed
Summary
Requires the Governor or mayor of a county, during a state of emergency, to provide an American Sign Language interpreter at each live broadcast press conference. Requires the Governor or mayor of a county to provide a primary pool feed for any live official announcement that includes an American Sign Language interpreter in a picture-in-picture window, and does not require broadcasters that rebroadcast the official announcement to independently generate or insert this accessibility feature. Requires, to the fullest extent possible, that the American Sign Language interpreter's face, body, arms, and hands are visible. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)
EmergencyOfficial AnnouncementsBroadcast MediaAmerican Sign LanguageSign Language InterpreterPSM, WAM
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Bill Overview
No Economic Impacts Identified for this Bill
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Sam Satoru Kong
Democratic • House
Cosponsors
There are no cosponsors for this bill.
Roll Call Votes
House vote • 3/10/2026
House Floor Vote
Yes: 51 • No: 0
House vote • 2/11/2026
Passed Second Reading as amended in HD 1 and referred to the committee(s) on JHA...
Yes: 50 • No: 0
Actions Timeline
Received from House (Hse. Com. No. 240).
3/12/2026SenatePassed First Reading.
3/12/2026SenateReferred to PSM, WAM.
3/12/2026SenatePassed Third Reading as amended in HD 2 with Representative(s) Garcia, Gedeon, Hartsfield, Kahaloa, Keohokapu-Lee Loy, Kila, Olds, Shimizu, Souza voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and none excused (0). Transmitted to Senate.
3/10/2026HouseReported from JHA (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 1146-26) as amended in HD 2, recommending passage on Third Reading.
3/6/2026HouseForty-eight (48) hours notice Tuesday, 03-10-26.
3/6/2026HouseThe committee on JHA recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes were as follows: 9 Ayes: Representative(s) Tarnas, Poepoe, Belatti, Cochran, Hashem, Takayama; Ayes with reservations: Representative(s) Kahaloa, Garcia, Shimizu; Noes: none; and 1 Excused: Representative(s) Sayama.
3/5/2026HouseBill scheduled to be heard by JHA on Thursday, 03-05-26 2:00PM in House conference room 325 VIA VIDEOCONFERENCE.
3/3/2026HouseReported from PBS (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 191-26) as amended in HD 1, recommending passage on Second Reading and referral to JHA.
2/11/2026HousePassed Second Reading as amended in HD 1 and referred to the committee(s) on JHA with none voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and Representative(s) Holt excused (1).
2/11/2026HouseThe committee on PBS recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes were as follows: 9 Ayes: Representative(s) Belatti, Iwamoto, Hashem, Ichiyama, Morikawa, Poepoe, Woodson, Shimizu, Souza; Ayes with reservations: none; Noes: none; and Excused: none.
2/6/2026HouseBill scheduled for decision making on Friday, 02-06-26 11:30AM in conference room 411 VIA VIDEOCONFERENCE.
2/5/2026HouseThe committee(s) on PBS recommend(s) that the measure be deferred until 02-06-26 11:30AM.
2/4/2026HouseBill scheduled for decision making on Wednesday, 02-04-26 11:30AM in conference room 411 VIA VIDEOCONFERENCE.
2/2/2026HouseThe committee(s) on PBS recommend(s) that the measure be deferred until 02-04-26.
1/30/2026HouseBill scheduled to be heard by PBS on Friday, 01-30-26 11:00AM in House conference room 411 VIA VIDEOCONFERENCE.
1/27/2026HouseReferred to PBS, JHA, referral sheet 1
1/26/2026HouseIntroduced and Pass First Reading.
1/21/2026HousePrefiled.
1/14/2026House
Bill Text
Bill Text
HB1531_HD1
HB1531_HD2
Original
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