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Hawaii · 2026 Regular Session · Bill

SB 353: RELATING TO EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT.

Passed both chambers 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 353 is a bill introduced in the Hawaii Senate on January 14, 2025. According to its official title, it concerns: RELATING TO EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT. Primary sponsor: Karl Rhoads (Democratic), Brandon Elefante (Democratic), Angus McKelvey (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.

Amends emergency management laws to clarify state and county authority. Prohibits the Governor or Mayor from suspending requests for records or vital records and statistics during a state of emergency. Adds definition of the term "severe weather warning". Allows the Legislature and county councils to terminate a state of emergency after thirty days, in whole or in part, issued by the Governor or Mayor, respectively. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD3)

Sponsors

Sponsors by party (alphabetical): Democratic 3

NameRolePartyChamberDistrict
Karl RhoadsPrimary sponsorDemocraticSenate13
Brandon ElefantePrimary sponsorDemocraticSenate16
Angus McKelveyPrimary sponsorDemocraticSenate6

“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. Received from House (Hse. Com. No. 643).
  3. Senate disagrees with House amendments.
  4. Received notice of disagreement (Sen. Com. No. 779).
  5. Passed Third Reading as amended in HD 3 with none voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and Representative(s) Cochran, Marten excused (2). Transmitted to Senate.
  6. Reported from FIN (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 1984) as amended in HD 3, recommending passage on Third Reading.
  7. Forty-eight (48) hours notice Tuesday, 04-08-25.
  8. The committee on FIN recommend that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED. The votes were as follows: 14 Ayes: Representative(s) Yamashita, Takenouchi, Grandinetti, Holt, Hussey, Keohokapu-Lee Loy, Kitagawa, Kusch, Lamosao, Lee, M., Miyake, Morikawa, Templo, Reyes Oda; Ayes with reservations: none; Noes: none; and 1 Excused: Representative(s) Alcos.
  9. Reconsideration of action taken on Tuesday, 04-01-25.
  10. The votes in FIN were as follows: 14 Ayes: Representative(s) Yamashita, Takenouchi, Grandinetti, Holt, Hussey, Keohokapu-Lee Loy, Kitagawa, Kusch, Lamosao, Lee, M., Miyake, Morikawa, Templo, Reyes Oda; Ayes with reservations: none; Noes: none; and 1 Excused: Representative(s) Alcos.
  11. The committee on FIN recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes were as follows: 14 Ayes: Representative(s) Yamashita, Takenouchi, Grandinetti, Holt, Hussey, Keohokapu-Lee Loy, Kitagawa, Kusch, Lamosao, Lee, M., Miyake, Morikawa, Templo, Reyes Oda; Ayes with reservations: none; Noes: none; and 1 Excused: Representative(s) Alcos.
  12. Bill scheduled to be heard by FIN on Tuesday, 04-01-25 2:00PM in House conference room 308 VIA VIDEOCONFERENCE.

Showing 12 most recent of 36 actions. Full history

Sources

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