Hawaii SB2256: Relating to Brother Joseph Dutton Day.

What the bill says

A bill foran act relating to brother joseph dutton day.

From the introduced text:

A BILL FORAN ACT RELATING TO BROTHER JOSEPH DUTTON DAY. SECTION 1. The legislature finds that Ira Barnes Dutton was born on April 27, 1843, in Stowe, Vermont, and spent his formative years in Janesville, Wisconsin. In September of 1861, during the beginning of the Civil War, Ira Barnes Dutton enlisted in the Union Army as part of Company B of the thirteenth Wisconsin infantry. Ira Barnes Dutton was subsequently discharged in 1866 due to a downsizing of the military after the Civil War. Following the Civil War, Ira Barnes Dutton suffered from a failed marriage, alcoholism, probable post-traumatic stress disorder, and other personal problems, leading him on a journey to seek atonement through Catholicism. During this time, Ira Barnes Dutton was baptized and adopted the name of his favorite saint, Joseph. The legislature recognizes that, upon learning about the work of Father Damien on Molokai, Joseph Dutton made his way to Hawaii. Arriving at Kalaupapa in July of 1886, Joseph Dutton assisted Father Damien, who had been diagnosed with leprosy. SB LRB 26-0123.docx HHM Page 2 S.B. NO. 2256 Joseph Dutton quickly became an expert in caring for patients while working alongside Father Damien, who affectionately called Joseph Dutton "Brother". After Father Damien's death three years later in 1889, Joseph Dutton managed the Baldwin Home for Boys for leprosy …

Read the full official text

Sponsors

• Lynn DeCoite (D, 7) · primary sponsor
• Stanley Chang (D, 9)
• Brandon Elefante (D, 16)
• Kurt Fevella (R, 20)
• Mike Gabbard (D, 21)
• Troy Hashimoto (D, 5)
• Lorraine Inouye (D, 1)
• Angus McKelvey (D, 6)
• Sharon Moriwaki (D, 12)
• Tim Richards (D, SD-004)
• Joy San Buenaventura (D, 2)

Latest actions

1. April 24, 2026: Act 004, on 04/23/2026 (Gov. Msg. No. 1104).
2. April 24, 2026: Act 004, 04/23/2026 (Gov. Msg. No. 1104).
3. April 8, 2026: Enrolled to Governor.
4. April 8, 2026: Received from House (Hse. Com. No. 482).
5. April 8, 2026: Passed Third Reading with Representative(s) Garcia voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and Representative(s) Cochran excused (1). Transmitted to Senate.
6. April 8, 2026: Reported from JHA (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 1815-26), recommending passage on Third Reading.
7. March 31, 2026: The committee on JHA recommend that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED. The votes were as follows: 8 Ayes: Representative(s) Tarnas, Poepoe, Hashem, Kahaloa, Takayama, Cochran, Garcia, Shimizu; Ayes with reservations: none; 0 Noes: none; and 2 Excused: Representative(s) Belatti, Sayama.
8. March 25, 2026: Bill scheduled to be heard by JHA on Tuesday, 03-31-26 2:00PM in House conference room 325 VIA VIDEOCONFERENCE.
9. March 24, 2026: Passed Second Reading and referred to the committee(s) on JHA with Representative(s) Garcia voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and Representative(s) Garrett, Quinlan excused (2).
10. March 24, 2026: Reported from CAA (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 1358-26), recommending passage on Second Reading and referral to JHA.

Votes

• Third Reading with Representative(s) Garcia voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and Representative(s) Cochran excused (1) (April 8, 2026): 50 yea, 0 nay, passed
• JHA: recommend that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED (March 31, 2026): 8 yea, 0 nay, passed
• Second Reading and referred to the committee(s) on JHA with Representative(s) Garcia voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and Representative(s) Garrett, Quinlan excused (2) (March 24, 2026): 49 yea, 0 nay, passed
• CAA: recommend that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED (March 18, 2026): 6 yea, 0 nay, passed
• Passed Third Reading (March 10, 2026): 25 yea, 0 nay, passed
• WLA: recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED (February 13, 2026): 4 yea, 0 nay, passed

Common questions

What is SB2256?

SB2256 is a bill in the Hawaii Legislature (2026 Regular Session): Relating to Brother Joseph Dutton Day.

What does SB2256 do?

In its own words: A bill foran act relating to brother joseph dutton day.

What is the status of SB2256?

Signed into law as of April 24, 2026. Latest action: Act 004, on 04/23/2026 (Gov. Msg. No. 1104). (April 24, 2026).

Who sponsored SB2256?

Lynn DeCoite (D, 7), with 10 co-sponsors.

Where is the official record for SB2256?

On the Hawaii Legislature website: https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=SB&billnumber=2256&year=2026