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Hawaii · 2026 Regular Session · Bill

SB 239: RELATING TO DISASTER PREPAREDNESS.

In committee Official data

  1. Introduced
  2. In committee
  3. Passed one chamber
  4. Passed both chambers
  5. Enacted

Last official action: ·Record last updated:

Plain-language summary

SB 239 is a bill introduced in the Hawaii Senate on January 13, 2025. According to its official title, it concerns: RELATING TO DISASTER PREPAREDNESS. Primary sponsor: Karl Rhoads (Democratic), AQUINO, Mike Gabbard (Democratic). Most recent recorded action (December 8, 2025): Carried over to 2026 Regular Session.

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.

Requires certain state buildings, including public school buildings, for which construction is anticipated to commence on or after 7/1/2026 to be designed to withstand category five hurricanes and be used as shelters in the event of an emergency. (SD1)

Sponsors

Sponsors by party (alphabetical): Democratic 2

NameRolePartyChamberDistrict
Karl RhoadsPrimary sponsorDemocraticSenate13
AQUINOPrimary sponsorNot applicable (committee)——
Mike GabbardPrimary sponsorDemocraticSenate21

“Support” is shown only as formal sponsorship recorded by the legislature. Roll-call votes are available on the official bill page.

Recent official actions

  1. Carried over to 2026 Regular Session.
  2. Reported from GVO/PSM (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 230) with recommendation of passage on Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referral to WAM.
  3. Report adopted; Passed Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referred to WAM.
  4. The committee(s) on GVO recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in GVO were as follows: 3 Aye(s): Senator(s) McKelvey, Moriwaki, San Buenaventura; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 2 Excused: Senator(s) Gabbard, Fevella.
  5. The committee on GVO reconsidered its previous decision.
  6. The committee(s) on GVO recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in GVO were as follows: 3 Aye(s): Senator(s) McKelvey, Moriwaki, San Buenaventura; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 2 Excused: Senator(s) Gabbard, Fevella.
  7. 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) Elefante, Wakai, Fukunaga, Rhoads, DeCorte; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 0 Excused: none.
  8. The committee(s) on GVO deferred the measure until 02-04-25 3:00PM; CR 225.
  9. The committee(s) on GVO/PSM has scheduled a public hearing on 01-31-25 3:00PM; Conference Room 225 & Videoconference.
  10. Referred to GVO/PSM, WAM.
  11. Introduced and passed First Reading.
  12. Pending Introduction.

Sources

  1. Open States / Plural (data from the official legislature website)
  2. Official legislature source