Hawaii · 2026 Regular Session · Bill
SB 2151: RELATING TO EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT.
Passed both chambers Official data
- Introduced
- In committee
- Passed one chamber
- Passed both chambers
- Enacted
Last official action: ·Record last updated:
Plain-language summary
SB 2151 is a bill introduced in the Hawaii Senate on January 14, 2026. According to its official title, it concerns: RELATING TO EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT. Primary sponsor: Karl Rhoads (Democratic), Stanley Chang (Democratic), Troy Hashimoto (Democratic), KIDANI. It lists 1 additional sponsor. Most recent recorded action (April 16, 2026): Received from House (Hse. Com. No. 632).
Generated automatically from the official title, sponsor list, and status record only. It does not characterize the bill’s purpose or effects. How summaries are written
Official summary
Abstract published by the legislature (via Open States). Text as published by the legislature; reproduced verbatim.
Clarifies state and local authority during a state or local state of emergency. Clarifies and limits the suspension of laws and access to records during an emergency. Defines "catastrophic harm" and "severe weather warning". Amends the definitions of "disaster" and "emergency" under emergency management laws. Allows the Legislature to terminate a state of emergency and county councils to terminate a local state of emergency. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)
Sponsors
Sponsors by party (alphabetical): Democratic 4
| Name | Role | Party | Chamber | District |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Karl Rhoads | Primary sponsor | Democratic | Senate | 13 |
| Stanley Chang | Primary sponsor | Democratic | Senate | 9 |
| Troy Hashimoto | Primary sponsor | Democratic | Senate | 5 |
| KIDANI | Primary sponsor | Not applicable (committee) | — | — |
| Sharon Moriwaki | Co-sponsor | Democratic | Senate | 12 |
“Support” is shown only as formal sponsorship recorded by the legislature. Roll-call votes are available on the official bill page.
Recent official actions
- Received from House (Hse. Com. No. 632).
- Senate disagrees with House amendments.
- Received notice of disagreement (Sen. Com. No. 710).
- Passed Third Reading as amended in HD 2 with Representative(s) Souza voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and Representative(s) Quinlan excused (1). Transmitted to Senate.
- Reported from JHA (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 2127-26) as amended in HD 2, recommending passage on Third Reading.
- Forty-eight (48) hours notice Tuesday, 04-14-26.
- The committee on JHA recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes were as follows: 8 Ayes: Representative(s) Tarnas, Poepoe, Belatti, Hashem, Kahaloa, Takayama, Garcia, Shimizu; Ayes with reservations: none; Noes: none; and 2 Excused: Representative(s) Sayama, Cochran.
- Bill scheduled to be heard by JHA on Wednesday, 04-08-26 2:00PM in House conference room 325 VIA VIDEOCONFERENCE.
- Reported from PBS (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 1563-26) as amended in HD 1, recommending passage on Second Reading and referral to JHA.
- 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).
- 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.
- The committee(s) on PBS recommend(s) that the measure be deferred until 03-27-26 11:00AM.
Showing 12 most recent of 32 actions. Full history