SB2109 Senate Bill

Passed

2026-03-10

Relating To Emergency Preparedness Communications.

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 pictureinpicture window. Requires reports to the Legislature prior to the Regular Sessions of 2027, 2028, 2029, and 2030. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Bill Details

State

Hawaii

Session

2026 Regular Session

Chamber

Senate

Committee

Finance

Official Source

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

LegiScan

View on LegiScan

Action History

2026-03-30 H 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).

2026-03-30 H Reported from PBS (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 1562-26) as amended in HD 1, recommending passage on Second Reading and referral to FIN.

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, Woodson, Shimizu, Souza; Ayes with reservations: none; Noes: none; and 3 Excused: Representative(s) Ichiyama, 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, FIN, referral sheet 17

2026-03-12 H Pass First Reading

2026-03-10 H Received from Senate (Sen. Com. No. 172) in amended form (SD 2).

2026-03-10 S 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.

2026-03-06 S 48 Hrs. Notice 03-10-26.

2026-03-06 S Reported from WAM (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 2944) with recommendation of passage on Third Reading, as amended (SD 2).

2026-03-03 S 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.

2026-02-27 S The committee(s) on WAM will hold a public decision making on 03-03-26 10:17AM; Conference Room 211 & Videoconference.

2026-02-20 S Report adopted; Passed Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referred to WAM.

2026-02-20 S Reported from PSM (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 2642) with recommendation of passage on Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referral to WAM.

2026-02-18 S The committee(s) on PSM recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in PSM were as follows: 5 Aye(s): Senator(s) Fukunaga, Lee, C., Hashimoto, Inouye, DeCorte; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 0 Excused: none.

2026-02-12 S The committee(s) on PSM will hold a public decision making on 02-18-26 3:01PM; Conference Room 016 & Videoconference.

2026-02-10 S The committee on PSM has deleted the measure from decision making scheduled on 02-11-26 3:00PM; CR 016 & Videoconference.

2026-02-06 S The committee(s) on PSM will hold a public decision making on 02-11-26 3:00PM; Conference Room 016 & Videoconference.

2026-01-28 S The committee on PSM deferred the measure.

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, WAM.

2026-01-21 S Introduced and passed First Reading.

2026-01-14 S Pending Introduction.

Votes

2026-02-18 Senate Public Safety, Intergovernmental and Military Affairs: Passed, With Amendments Yea: 5 Nay: 0

2026-03-03 Senate Ways and Means: Passed, With Amendments Yea: 12 Nay: 0

Committee Referrals

2026-01-22 S Public Safety, Intergovernmental and Military Affairs

2026-02-20 S Ways and Means

2026-03-12 H Public Safety

2026-03-30 H Finance

Bill Text Versions

2026-01-14 Introduced

2026-02-19 Amended

2026-03-05 Amended

2026-03-27 Amended

Subjects

HIEMA Emergency Preparedness Emergency Communications Program Limited English Proficiency Language Access Official Announcements American Sign Language Sign Language Interpreter Reports Appropriations ($)