Hawaii · 2026 Regular Session · Bill
SB 2521: RELATING TO EMERGENCY SERVICES.
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 2521 is a bill introduced in the Hawaii Senate on January 23, 2026. According to its official title, it concerns: RELATING TO EMERGENCY SERVICES. Primary sponsor: Ron Kouchi (Democratic). Most recent recorded action (April 22, 2026): Received notice of Senate conferees (Sen. Com. No. 720).
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.
Exempts emergency medical services personnel from commercial driver's license requirements. Requires federal, state, and county firefighters, emergency medical services personnel, and law enforcement officers to maintain proof of successful completion of agency-approved or other state-approved training on authorized emergency vehicles. Amends the definition of "authorized emergency vehicle" under the State Traffic Code to replace ambulances with emergency medical services vehicles. Expands the definition of "authorized emergency vehicle" to include disaster response and recovery vehicles and Department of Health vehicles. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)
Sponsors
Sponsors by party (alphabetical): Democratic 1
| Name | Role | Party | Chamber | District |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ron Kouchi | Primary sponsor | Democratic | Senate | 8 |
“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 notice of Senate conferees (Sen. Com. No. 720).
- House Conferees Appointed: Kila, Poepoe Co-Chairs; Muraoka.
- Received notice of appointment of House conferees (Hse. Com. No. 800).
- Senate Conferees Appointed: Inouye Chair; McKelvey, Rhoads Co-Chairs; Elefante.
- Received from House (Hse. Com. No. 667).
- Senate disagrees with House amendments.
- Received notice of disagreement (Sen. Com. No. 710).
- Passed Third Reading as amended in HD 2 with none voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and none excused (0). Transmitted to Senate.
- Deferred one day 04-14-26.
- Reported from JHA (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 1824-26) as amended in HD 2, recommending passage on Third Reading.
- Forty-eight (48) hours notice Friday, 04-10-26.
- The committee on JHA recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes were as follows: 8 Ayes: Representative(s) Tarnas, Poepoe, Hashem, Kahaloa, Takayama, Cochran, Garcia, Shimizu; Ayes with reservations: none; 0 Noes: none; and 2 Excused: Representative(s) Belatti, Sayama.
Showing 12 most recent of 33 actions. Full history