Hawaii legislation · 2026 Regular Session
Hawaii HB2443: Relating to Disaster Services.
Status: Signed into law, June 24, 2026
Integrates the needs of individuals with disabilities and others with access and functional needs into emergency planning, preparedness, response, recovery, and mitigation activities. Establishes a Disability Integration Specialist position, to be located in the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency, who shall provide programming support for disability community projects that promote accessibility, inclusion, and equity in disaster management. Appropriates funds.
What the bill says
A bill for an act relating to disaster services.
From the enrolled text:
A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO DISASTER SERVICES. SECTION 1. The legislature finds that one in five Hawaii residents has a disability, and many require functional or access support before, during, and after disasters. These individuals often encounter disproportionate risks, including difficulty evacuating without proper supports; lack of accessible transportation; barriers to receiving emergency alerts and evacuation orders in formats that they can understand; and obstacles in accessing shelters, emergency medical care, and post-disaster relief programs, such as housing, food, and financial assistance. The legislature further finds that in the immediate aftermath of the 2023, Maui wildfires, many individuals with disabilities faced significant impediments to accessing emergency shelters and services. Shelters often lacked physical accessibility, disability-trained staff, and coordinated resources to address medical and functional needs. Nonprofit organizations and community members stepped in to fill these 2026--3426 HB2443 CD1 HMSO H.B. NO. ~ Page2 C.D. gaps; however, the lack of a planned, coordinated response by state and county agencies highlighted systemic inequities in disaster preparedness and response for individuals with disabilities. The legislature additionally finds that although the legislature passed Act 210, Session Laws of Hawaii 2024, to establish a limited English proficiency language access coordinator within the Hawaii emergency management agency, that position addresses only the needs of limited English proficient individuals under state and federal language access …
Sponsors
- Terez Amato (D, 11) · primary sponsor
- Della Belatti (D, 26)
- Elle Cochran (D, 14)
- Ikaika Hussey (D, 29)
- Greggor Ilagan (D, 4)
- Kim Iwamoto (D, 25)
- Kirstin Kahaloa (D, 6)
- Jeanne Kapela (D, 5)
- Susan Keohokapu-Lee Loy (D, 2)
- Darius Kila (D, 44)
- Lisa Marten (D, 51)
- Tyson Miyake (D, 10)
Latest actions
- : Act 133, on 06/24/2026 (Gov. Msg. No. 1234).
- : Act 133, 06/24/2026 (Gov. Msg. No. 1234).
- : Received notice of passage on Final Reading in House (Hse. Com. No. 888).
- : Transmitted to Governor.
- : Received notice of Final Reading (Sen. Com. No. 816).
- : Passed Final Reading as amended in CD 1 with none voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and none excused (0).
- : Passed Final Reading, as amended (CD 1). Ayes, 25; Aye(s) with reservations: none . 0 No(es): none. 0 Excused: none.
- : 48 Hrs. Notice (as amended CD 1) 05-06-26
- : Reported from Conference Committee as amended CD 1 (Conf. Com. Rep. No. 170-26).
- : Forty-eight (48) hours notice Wednesday, 05-06-26.
Votes
- Passed Final Reading, as amended (CD 1) (May 6, 2026): 25 yea, 0 nay, passed
- Final Reading as amended in CD 1 with none voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and none excused (0) (May 6, 2026): 51 yea, 0 nay, passed
- Representative(s) Amato. (May 1, 2026): 4 yea, 0 nay, passed
- Conference Committee Vote (May 1, 2026): 3 yea, 0 nay, passed
- Report Adopted; Passed Third Reading (April 10, 2026): 25 yea, 0 nay, passed
- WAM: recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED (April 6, 2026): 12 yea, 0 nay, passed
Subjects: Report, Exemption, Housing, Appropriations, DOE, DBEDT, DOT, Counties
Common questions
- What is HB2443?
- HB2443 is a bill in the Hawaii Legislature (2026 Regular Session): Relating to Disaster Services.
- What does HB2443 do?
- In its own words: A bill for an act relating to disaster services.
- What is the status of HB2443?
- Signed into law as of June 24, 2026. Latest action: Act 133, on 06/24/2026 (Gov. Msg. No. 1234). (June 24, 2026).
- Who sponsored HB2443?
- Terez Amato (D, 11), with 11 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for HB2443?
- On the Hawaii Legislature website: https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=HB&billnumber=2443&year=2026
Source: official Hawaii record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.