Hawaii legislation · 2026 Regular Session
Hawaii HB1531: Relating to Emergency Announcements.
Status: In committee, March 12, 2026
Requires the Governor or mayor of a county to provide an American Sign Language interpreter during each official announcement broadcast via television or the Internet during a state of emergency. Requires the Governor or mayor of a county to ensure, to the fullest extent possible, that the American Sign Language interpreter's face, body, arms, and hands are visible during the broadcast. Requires a news media outlet to display the American Sign Language interpreter in a picture-in-picture window during broadcasts of official emergency announcements.
What the bill says
A bill for an act relating to emergency announcements.
From the engrossed text:
A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO EMERGENCY ANNOUNCEMENTS. SECTION 1. Chapter 127A, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as official announcements; P~merican Sign Language interpreter; requirements. (a) Whenever the governor or mayor, as applicable, declares a state of emergency pursuant to this chapter, the governor or mayor shall provide an American Sign Language interpreter who is certified by a nationally or state--recognized credentialing authority at each live broadcast press conference during the state of emergency. To the greatest extent possible, the governor or mayor shall ensure that the American Sign Language interpreter is physically positioned in a manner so that the interpreter's face, body, arms, and hands are always visible during a television or internet broadcast of the press conference. (b) The governor or mayor, as applicable, shall provide a primary pool feed for any live official announcement that 2026--2296 HB1531 HD2 HMSO NCD. H.B. Page2 H.D.2 includes an American Sign Language interpreter in a picture-inpicture window. The picture-in--picture window shall be at least one-quarter of the size of the primary video and large enough to clearly see the interpreter's face, body, arms, and hands. The interpreter shall not be blocked or covered by captions, graphics, or other on-screen text, which shall be repositioned if necessary. A broadcaster …
Sponsors
- Sam Kong (D, HD-033) · primary sponsor
Latest actions
- : Referred to PSM, WAM.
- : Passed First Reading.
- : Received from House (Hse. Com. No. 240).
- : Passed Third Reading as amended in HD 2 with Representative(s) Garcia, Gedeon, Hartsfield, Kahaloa, Keohokapu-Lee Loy, Kila, Olds, Shimizu, Souza voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and none excused (0). Transmitted to Senate.
- : Forty-eight (48) hours notice Tuesday, 03-10-26.
- : Reported from JHA (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 1146-26) as amended in HD 2, recommending passage on Third Reading.
- : The committee on JHA recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes were as follows: 9 Ayes: Representative(s) Tarnas, Poepoe, Belatti, Cochran, Hashem, Takayama; Ayes with reservations: Representative(s) Kahaloa, Garcia, Shimizu; Noes: none; and 1 Excused: Representative(s) Sayama.
- : Bill scheduled to be heard by JHA on Thursday, 03-05-26 2:00PM in House conference room 325 VIA VIDEOCONFERENCE.
- : Passed Second Reading as amended in HD 1 and referred to the committee(s) on JHA with none voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and Representative(s) Holt excused (1).
- : Reported from PBS (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 191-26) as amended in HD 1, recommending passage on Second Reading and referral to JHA.
Votes
- Third Reading as amended in HD 2 with Representative(s) Garcia, Gedeon, Hartsfield, Kahaloa, Keohokapu-Lee Loy, Kila, Olds, Shimizu, Souza voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and none exc (March 10, 2026): 51 yea, 0 nay, passed
- JHA: recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS (March 5, 2026): 9 yea, 0 nay, passed
- Second Reading as amended in HD 1 and referred to the committee(s) on JHA with none voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and Representative(s) Holt excused (1) (February 11, 2026): 50 yea, 0 nay, passed
- PBS: recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS (February 6, 2026): 9 yea, 0 nay, passed
Subjects: Report, Emergency Announcements, Counties
Common questions
- What is HB1531?
- HB1531 is a bill in the Hawaii Legislature (2026 Regular Session): Relating to Emergency Announcements.
- What does HB1531 do?
- In its own words: A bill for an act relating to emergency announcements.
- What is the status of HB1531?
- In committee as of March 12, 2026. Latest action: Referred to PSM, WAM. (March 12, 2026).
- Who sponsored HB1531?
- Sam Kong (D, HD-033).
- Where is the official record for HB1531?
- On the Hawaii Legislature website: https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=HB&billnumber=1531&year=2026
Source: official Hawaii record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.