HawaiiSB 21092025–2026 Regular Session (Year 2)Senate

RELATING TO EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS COMMUNICATIONS.

Sponsored By: Mike Gabbard (Democratic)

Failed

Summary

Requires the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency to develop and implement a statewide public education and communications program to promote household emergency preparedness consistent with the Agency's 14-day essential supplies recommendation. Requires the Governor or mayor of a county to provide an American Sign Language interpreter during each official live broadcast during a state of emergency. Requires the Governor or mayor of a county to ensure, to the fullest extent possible, that the American Sign Language interpreter's face, body, arms, and hands are visible during the broadcast. Requires the Governor or mayor of a county to provide a primary pool feed that includes the American Sign Language interpreter in a picture‑in‑picture window. Requires reports to the Legislature prior to the Regular Sessions of 2027, 2028, 2029, and 2030. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

HIEMAEmergency PreparednessEmergency CommunicationsLimited English ProficiencyLanguage AccessOfficial AnnouncementsAmerican Sign LanguageSign Language InterpreterProgramReportsAppropriationsPBS, FIN

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Bill Overview

No Economic Impacts Identified for this Bill

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Mike Gabbard

    Democratic • Senate

Cosponsors

  • Carol Fukunaga

    Democratic • Senate

  • Troy N. Hashimoto

    Democratic • Senate

  • Michelle N. Kidani

    Democratic • Senate

  • Glenn Wakai

    Democratic • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 160 • No: 0

House vote • 4/14/2026

House Floor Vote

Yes: 50 • No: 0

House vote • 4/7/2026

The committee on FIN recommend that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED. The votes ...

Yes: 16 • No: 0

House vote • 3/30/2026

Passed Second Reading as amended in HD 1 and referred to the committee(s) on FIN...

Yes: 46 • No: 0

House vote • 3/27/2026

The committee on PBS recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The ...

Yes: 6 • No: 0

Senate vote • 3/10/2026

Senate Floor Vote

Yes: 25 • No: 0

Senate vote • 3/3/2026

The committee(s) on WAM recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENT...

Yes: 12 • No: 0

Senate vote • 2/18/2026

The committee(s) on PSM recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENT...

Yes: 5 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Conference committee meeting to reconvene on 05-01-26 3:30 PM; Conference Room 016.

    5/1/2026Senate
  2. Conference committee meeting to reconvene on 05-01-26 4:30 PM; Conference Room 016.

    5/1/2026Senate
  3. Conference committee meeting to reconvene on 05-01-26 5:10 PM; Conference Room 016.

    5/1/2026Senate
  4. Conference committee meeting to reconvene on 05-01-26 5:40 PM; Conference Room 016.

    5/1/2026Senate
  5. Conference committee meeting to reconvene on 05-01-26 5:51 PM; Conference Room 016.

    5/1/2026Senate
  6. Received notice of appointment of House conferees (Hse. Com. No. 877).

    4/30/2026Senate
  7. Conference committee meeting scheduled for 05-01-26 1:45PM; Conference Room 016.

    4/30/2026Senate
  8. House Conferees Appointed: Belatti, Morikawa Co-Chairs; Iwamoto, Templo, Shimizu.

    4/29/2026House
  9. Senate Conferees Appointed: Fukunaga Chair; Lee, C. Co-Chairs; Inouye, DeCorte.

    4/21/2026Senate
  10. Received notice of Senate conferees (Sen. Com. No. 718).

    4/21/2026House
  11. Received from House (Hse. Com. No. 625).

    4/16/2026Senate
  12. Senate disagrees with House amendments.

    4/16/2026Senate
  13. Received notice of disagreement (Sen. Com. No. 710).

    4/16/2026House
  14. Passed Third Reading with Representative(s) Garcia, Shimizu voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and Representative(s) Quinlan excused (1). Transmitted to Senate.

    4/14/2026House
  15. Reported from FIN (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 2102-26), recommending passage on Third Reading.

    4/10/2026House
  16. The committee on FIN recommend that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED. The votes were as follows: 16 Ayes: Representative(s) Todd, Takenouchi, Hussey, Kitagawa, Kusch, Lee, M., Miyake, Morikawa, Perruso, Templo, Yamashita, Alcos, Gedeon, Reyes Oda; Ayes with reservations: Representative(s) Hartsfield, Keohokapu-Lee Loy; Noes: none; and Excused: none.

    4/7/2026House
  17. Bill scheduled to be heard by FIN on Tuesday, 04-07-26 2:00PM in House conference room 308 VIA VIDEOCONFERENCE.

    4/2/2026House
  18. Reported from PBS (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 1562-26) as amended in HD 1, recommending passage on Second Reading and referral to FIN.

    3/30/2026House
  19. Passed Second Reading as amended in HD 1 and referred to the committee(s) on FIN with none voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and Representative(s) Cochran, Lowen, Perruso, Quinlan excused (4).

    3/30/2026House
  20. The committee on PBS recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes were as follows: 6 Ayes: Representative(s) Belatti, Iwamoto, Hashem, Woodson, Shimizu, Souza; Ayes with reservations: none; Noes: none; and 3 Excused: Representative(s) Ichiyama, Morikawa, Poepoe.

    3/27/2026House
  21. The committee(s) on PBS recommend(s) that the measure be deferred until 03-27-26 11:00AM.

    3/25/2026House
  22. Bill scheduled for decision making on Friday, 03-27-26 11:00AM in conference room 411 VIA VIDEOCONFERENCE.

    3/25/2026House
  23. The committee(s) on PBS recommend(s) that the measure be deferred until 03-25-26 11:00AM.

    3/20/2026House
  24. Bill scheduled for decision making on Wednesday, 03-25-26 11:00AM in conference room 411 VIA VIDEOCONFERENCE.

    3/20/2026House
  25. Bill scheduled to be heard by PBS on Friday, 03-20-26 10:30AM in House conference room 411 VIA VIDEOCONFERENCE.

    3/18/2026House

Bill Text

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