Skip to main content
Independent and nonpartisan. SaveYourState is a civic information resource. It is not a government website and is not affiliated with any government agency, party, or campaign.

Hawaii · 2026 Regular Session · Bill

SB 2938: RELATING TO SEARCH AND RESCUE.

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 2938 is a bill introduced in the Hawaii Senate on January 23, 2026. According to its official title, it concerns: RELATING TO SEARCH AND RESCUE. Primary sponsor: Angus McKelvey (Democratic), Stanley Chang (Democratic). It lists 1 additional sponsor. Most recent recorded action (February 20, 2026): Reported from GVO (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 2528) with recommendation of passage on Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referral to WAM/JDC.

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.

Establishes the Office of the State Search and Rescue Coordinator within the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency. Provides for the authority and duties of the State Search and Rescue Coordinator. Designates participating agencies and their duties with regard to state search and rescue operations and training. Establishes the Search and Rescue Special Fund. Requires reports to the Legislature. Requires the Administrator of Emergency Management to hire the Coordinator by 1/1/2027. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/2525. (SD1)

Sponsors

Sponsors by party (alphabetical): Democratic 3

NameRolePartyChamberDistrict
Angus McKelveyPrimary sponsorDemocraticSenate6
Stanley ChangPrimary sponsorDemocraticSenate9
Carol FukunagaCo-sponsorDemocraticSenate11

“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. Reported from GVO (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 2528) with recommendation of passage on Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referral to WAM/JDC.
  2. Report adopted; Passed Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referred to WAM/JDC.
  3. The committee(s) on GVO recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in GVO were as follows: 5 Aye(s): Senator(s) McKelvey, Gabbard, Hashimoto, Moriwaki, Awa; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 0 Excused: none.
  4. The committee(s) on GVO deferred the measure until 02-12-26 3:00PM; CR 225 & Videoconference.
  5. The committee(s) on GVO deferred the measure until 02-10-26 3:00PM; Conference Room 225 & Videoconference.
  6. The committee(s) on GVO has scheduled a public hearing on 02-05-26 3:01PM; CR 225 & Videoconference.
  7. Referred to GVO, WAM/JDC.
  8. Passed First Reading.
  9. Introduced.

Sources

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