SB 1419 Hawaii Senate · 2026 Regular Session

RELATING TO ACT 253, SESSION LAWS OF HAWAII 2023.

Summary

Updates the name of the Neighbor Islands Blind and Visually Impaired Service Pilot Program established by Act 253, SLH 2023, by replacing the term "visually impaired" with the term "low vision" and clarifies the pilot program's implementation timeframes. Sunsets 6/30/2029. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Bill status passed both 4 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2025

Committee Review

Mar 2025

Senate Passage

Mar 2025

House Passage

Apr 2025

Governor

Introduced Jan 21, 2025 Last action Apr 2, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 3 comparisons

What changed between versions

SB1419_HD2 → SB1419_SD1 · 4 edits

MODERATE

This bill updates the Neighbor Islands Blind and Visually Impaired Service Pilot Program by renaming it to use the less stigmatizing term 'low vision' instead of 'visually impaired'. It also corrects the effective date of the Act from the erroneous year 3000 to 2025, ensuring the program can begin immediately. Additionally, the bill refines the legislative findings to better reflect the department's response to the 2023 Maui wildfires and clarifies the program's sunset date.

Scope change

The bill's scope remains focused on the same pilot program, but the terminology now prioritizes person-first language to reduce stigma, and the applicability is corrected to start in 2025 rather than the future year 3000.

DEFINITION

Replaced the term 'visually impaired' with 'low vision' throughout the bill to use less stigmatizing language.

TIMELINE

Corrected the effective date of the Act from July 1, 3000, to July 1, 2025, making the legislation actionable.

REQUIREMENT

Updated the legislative findings to clarify that the department's implementation delays were due to responding to the 2023 Maui wildfires.

TECHNICAL

Adjusted section numbering and formatting to align with the Senate version of the bill.

Floor votes · Senate Feb 27, 2025

How they voted

14–0

Passed

Total votes 14

Feb 27, 2025

D Democratic13

13 Yea

100% Yea

R Republican1

1 Yea

100% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Amendments

Apr 10, 2025

Amended

Senate disagrees with House amendments.

upper

Apr 10, 2025

Introduced

Received from House (Hse. Com. No. 687).

upper

Apr 8, 2025

Lower · Passed

Passed Third Reading as amended in HD 2 with none voting aye with reservations; Representative(s) Pierick voting no (1) and Representative(s) Cochran, Marten excused (2). Transmitted to Senate.

lower

Mar 28, 2025

Lower · Passed

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, Keohokapu-Lee Loy, Kitagawa, Kusch, Lamosao, Lee, M., Miyake, Morikawa, Templo, Alcos, Reyes Oda; Ayes with reservations: none; 0 Noes: none; and 2 Excused: Representative(s) Hussey, Ward.

lower

Mar 18, 2025

Committee

Reported from HSH (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 1342) as amended in HD 1, recommending passage on Second Reading and referral to FIN.

lower

Mar 13, 2025

Lower · Passed

The committee on HSH recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes were as follows: 9 Ayes: Representative(s) Marten, Olds, Amato, Chun, Keohokapu-Lee Loy, Takayama, Takenouchi, Alcos, Garcia; Ayes with reservations: none; 0 Noes: none; and 0 Excused: none.

lower

Mar 6, 2025

Committee

Referred to HSH, FIN, referral sheet 19

lower

Mar 4, 2025

Introduced

Received from Senate (Sen. Com. No. 326) in amended form (SD 1).

lower

Mar 4, 2025

Upper · Passed

Report adopted; Passed Third Reading. Ayes, 25; Aye(s) with reservations: none . Noes, 0 (none). Excused, 0 (none). Transmitted to House.

upper

Feb 27, 2025

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on WAM recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED. The votes in WAM were as follows: 13 Aye(s): Senator(s) Dela Cruz, Moriwaki, Aquino, DeCoite, Elefante, Hashimoto, Inouye, Kanuha, Kidani, Kim, Lee, C., Wakai, Fevella; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 0 Excused: none.

upper

Feb 27, 2025

Senate · Passed

Senate Vote: pass (14-0)

senate

Feb 24, 2025

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on WAM will hold a public decision making on 02-27-25 10:26AM; Conference Room 211 & Videoconference.

upper

Feb 12, 2025

Upper · Passed

Report adopted; Passed Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referred to WAM.

upper

Feb 12, 2025

Committee

Reported from HHS (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 328) with recommendation of passage on Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referral to WAM.

upper

Feb 3, 2025

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on HHS recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in HHS were as follows: 4 Aye(s): Senator(s) San Buenaventura, Aquino, Hashimoto, Fevella; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 1 Excused: Senator(s) Keohokalole.

upper

Jan 31, 2025

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on HHS has scheduled a public hearing on 02-03-25 1:00PM; Conference Room 225 & Videoconference.

upper

Jan 27, 2025

Committee

Referred to HHS, WAM.

upper

Jan 23, 2025

Introduced

Introduced and passed First Reading.

upper

Jan 21, 2025

Introduced

Pending Introduction.

upper

1 primary · 0 co-sponsors