HawaiiSB 21092025–2026 Regular Session (Year 2)Senate

RELATING TO EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS COMMUNICATIONS.

Sponsored By: Mike Gabbard (Democratic)

Passed

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

Your PRIA Score

Score Hidden

Personalized for You

How does this bill affect your finances?

Sign up for a PRIA Policy Scan to see your personalized alignment score for this bill and every other piece of legislation we track. We analyze your financial profile against policy provisions to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.

Free to start

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: 139 • No: 0

House vote 4/14/2026

House Floor Vote

Yes: 50 • No: 0

House vote 3/30/2026

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

Yes: 47 • 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. Senate Conferees Appointed: Fukunaga Chair; Lee, C. Co-Chairs; Inouye, DeCorte.

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

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

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

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

    4/16/2026House
  6. 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
  7. Reported from FIN (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 2102-26), recommending passage on Third Reading.

    4/10/2026House
  8. 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
  9. Bill scheduled to be heard by FIN on Tuesday, 04-07-26 2:00PM in House conference room 308 VIA VIDEOCONFERENCE.

    4/2/2026House
  10. 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
  11. 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
  12. 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
  13. The committee(s) on PBS recommend(s) that the measure be deferred until 03-27-26 11:00AM.

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

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

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

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

    3/18/2026House
  18. Pass First Reading

    3/12/2026House
  19. Referred to PBS, FIN, referral sheet 17

    3/12/2026House
  20. Report adopted; Passed Third Reading, as amended (SD 2). Ayes, 25; Aye(s) with reservations: none . Noes, 0 (none). Excused, 0 (none). Transmitted to House.

    3/10/2026Senate
  21. Received from Senate (Sen. Com. No. 172) in amended form (SD 2).

    3/10/2026House
  22. Reported from WAM (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 2944) with recommendation of passage on Third Reading, as amended (SD 2).

    3/6/2026Senate
  23. 48 Hrs. Notice 03-10-26.

    3/6/2026Senate
  24. The committee(s) on WAM recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in WAM were as follows: 12 Aye(s): Senator(s) Dela Cruz, Moriwaki, DeCoite, Elefante, Hashimoto, Inouye, Kanuha, Kidani, Kim, Lee, C., Richards, Wakai; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 1 Excused: Senator(s) Fevella.

    3/3/2026Senate
  25. The committee(s) on WAM will hold a public decision making on 03-03-26 10:17AM; Conference Room 211 & Videoconference.

    2/27/2026Senate

Bill Text

Related Bills

Back to State Legislation