HB 2236 Hawaii House · 2026 Regular Session

RELATING TO EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT.

Summary

Clarifies state and local authority during a state or local state of emergency. Adds a definition of "severe weather warning". Allows the Legislature to terminate a state of emergency and city councils to terminate a local state of emergency. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2026

Committee Review

Floor Vote

Governor

Introduced Jan 26, 2026 Last action Feb 18, 2026

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What changed between versions

HB2236 → HB2236_HD1 · 3 edits

MINOR

This bill updates Hawaii's emergency management laws to clarify the governor's and mayors' authority during crises. It specifically defines 'severe weather warning' to include events like volcanic activity and coastal inundation, and sets a six-month limit on delays for government responses to public records requests during emergencies. The effective date of the bill was changed to July 1, 3000, likely to prevent it from taking effect immediately.

Scope change

The bill's scope was expanded by adding 'volcanic activity' and 'coastal inundation' to the official definition of severe weather warnings, ensuring these specific hazards are covered under emergency protocols.

DEFINITION

Added 'volcanic activity' and 'coastal inundation' to the legal definition of 'severe weather warning' to ensure these specific hazards trigger emergency powers.

REQUIREMENT

Modified the rule for public records requests during emergencies to allow agencies a reasonable delay of up to six months instead of an undefined delay.

TIMELINE

Changed the bill's effective date from immediate approval to July 1, 3000, effectively delaying its implementation indefinitely.

Floor votes

How they voted

No floor votes recorded yet.

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Feb 18, 2026

Committee

Reported from PBS (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 393-26) as amended in HD 1, recommending passage on Second Reading and referral to JHA.

lower

Feb 11, 2026

Lower · Passed

The committee on PBS recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes were as follows: 9 Ayes: Representative(s) Belatti, Iwamoto, Hashem, Ichiyama, Morikawa, Poepoe, Woodson, Shimizu, Souza; Ayes with reservations: none; Noes: none; and Excused: none.

lower

Jan 30, 2026

Committee

Referred to PBS, JHA, referral sheet 5

lower

Jan 28, 2026

Introduced

Introduced and Pass First Reading.

lower

Jan 26, 2026

Introduced

Pending introduction.

lower

6 primary · 1 co-sponsor