ChangeBridge / Hawaii / SB2151 Passed
SB2151 Senate Bill
Passed
2026-03-10

Relating To Emergency Management.

Clarifies state and local authority during a state or local state of emergency. Defines "catastrophic harm" and "severe weather warning". Amends the definitions of "disaster" and "emergency" under chapter 127A, HRS. Allows the Legislature to terminate a state of emergency and county councils to terminate a local state of emergency. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Bill Details

State

Hawaii

Session

2026 Regular Session

Chamber

Senate

Committee

Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs

Official Source

www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_ind...

LegiScan

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Sponsors

Karl Rhoads (Sen - D)
Stanley Chang (Sen - D)
Troy Hashimoto (Sen - D)
Michelle Kidani (Sen - D)
Sharon Moriwaki (Sen - D)

Action History

2026-03-30 H Passed Second Reading as amended in HD 1 and referred to the committee(s) on JHA with none voting aye with reservations; Representative(s) Souza voting no (1) and Representative(s) Cochran, Lowen, Perruso, Quinlan excused (4).
2026-03-30 H Reported from PBS (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 1563-26) as amended in HD 1, recommending passage on Second Reading and referral to JHA.
2026-03-27 H The committee on PBS recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes were as follows: 6 Ayes: Representative(s) Belatti, Iwamoto, Hashem, Ichiyama, Woodson; Ayes with reservations: Representative(s) Shimizu; 1 Noes: Representative(s) Souza; and 2 Excused: Representative(s) Morikawa, Poepoe.
2026-03-25 H Bill scheduled for decision making on Friday, 03-27-26 11:00AM in conference room 411 VIA VIDEOCONFERENCE.
2026-03-25 H The committee(s) on PBS recommend(s) that the measure be deferred until 03-27-26 11:00AM.
2026-03-20 H Bill scheduled for decision making on Wednesday, 03-25-26 11:00AM in conference room 411 VIA VIDEOCONFERENCE.
2026-03-20 H The committee(s) on PBS recommend(s) that the measure be deferred until 03-25-26 11:00AM.
2026-03-18 H Bill scheduled to be heard by PBS on Friday, 03-20-26 10:30AM in House conference room 411 VIA VIDEOCONFERENCE.
2026-03-12 H Referred to PBS, JHA, referral sheet 17
2026-03-12 H Pass First Reading
2026-03-10 H Received from Senate (Sen. Com. No. 182) in amended form (SD 2).
2026-03-10 S Report Adopted; Passed Third Reading, as amended (SD 2). Ayes, 24; Aye(s) with reservations: Senator(s) Gabbard. Noes, 1 (Senator(s) Awa). Excused, 0 (none). Transmitted to House.
2026-03-06 S 48 Hrs. Notice 03-10-26.
2026-03-06 S Reported from JDC (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 3099) with recommendation of passage on Third Reading, as amended (SD 2).
2026-03-05 S The committee(s) on JDC recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in JDC were as follows: 4 Aye(s): Senator(s) Rhoads, Chang, San Buenaventura; Aye(s) with reservations: Senator(s) Gabbard ; 1 No(es): Senator(s) Awa; and 0 Excused: none.
2026-02-24 S The committee(s) on JDC deferred the measure until 03-05-26 10:00AM; Conference Room 016 & Videoconference.
2026-02-13 S The committee(s) on JDC will hold a public decision making on 02-24-26 10:00AM; Conference Room 016 & Videoconference.
2026-02-10 S Report adopted; Passed Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referred to JDC.
2026-02-10 S Reported from PSM (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 2131) with recommendation of passage on Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referral to JDC.
2026-01-28 S The committee(s) on PSM recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in PSM were as follows: 4 Aye(s): Senator(s) Fukunaga, Lee, C., Inouye, DeCorte; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 1 Excused: Senator(s) Hashimoto.
2026-01-23 S The committee(s) on PSM has scheduled a public hearing on 01-28-26 3:00PM; Conference Room 016 & Videoconference.
2026-01-22 S Referred to PSM, JDC.
2026-01-21 S Introduced and passed First Reading.
2026-01-14 S Pending Introduction.

Votes

2026-01-28 Senate Public Safety, Intergovernmental and Military Affairs: Passed, With Amendments Yea: 4 Nay: 0
2026-03-05 Senate Judiciary: Passed, With Amendments Yea: 4 Nay: 1

Committee Referrals

2026-01-22 S Public Safety, Intergovernmental and Military Affairs
2026-02-10 S Judiciary
2026-03-12 H Public Safety
2026-03-30 H Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs

Bill Text Versions

2026-01-15 Introduced
2026-02-06 Amended
2026-03-07 Amended
2026-03-27 Amended

Subjects

Emergency Management State of Emergency Local State of Emergency

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