Hawaii legislation · 2026 Regular Session
Hawaii SB2259: Relating to the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism.
Status: Signed into law, July 14, 2026
Establishes the Hawaii Dementia Initiative Business Recognition Program within the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism. Appropriates moneys.
What the bill says
A bill for an act relating to the department of business, economic development, and tourism.
From the enrolled text:
A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE DEPARTMENT OF BUSINESS, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, AND TOURISM. SECTION 1. The legislature finds that Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia are not only detrimental to residents of the State but also affect businesses, economic growth, and visitors to Hawaii. Creating a dementia-friendly business environment would greatly enhance the quality of life for those living with dementia and their caregivers, while demonstrating that these diseases are not just a health issue, but also an economic and community development priority. Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to establish a business recognition program within the department of business, economic development, and tourism to promote brain health awareness in the business community and provide knowledge on the harmful effects of not only Alzheimer's disease, but all forms of dementia, to better serve and support customers while creating a dementia-capable workforce. 2026-2418 SB2259 CDl SMA.docx HiiiniHiiiiiiiiiiniiiniiii Page S.B. NO. E C.D. SECTION 2. Chapter 201, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as follows: "§201- Hawaii dementia initiative business recognition program. (a) There is established within the department of business, economic development, and tourism the Hawaii dementia initiative business recognition program to promote awareness of Alzheimer's disease and dementia among the business community and a dementia-capable …
Sponsors
- Lynn DeCoite (D, 7) · primary sponsor
- Stanley Chang (D, 9)
- Mike Gabbard (D, 21)
- Michelle Kidani (D, 18)
- Angus McKelvey (D, 6)
- Karl Rhoads (D, 13)
- Joy San Buenaventura (D, 2)
- Glenn Wakai (D, 15)
Latest actions
- : Act 251, on 07/14/2026 (Gov. Msg. No. 1353).
- : Act 251, 07/14/2026 (Gov. Msg. No. 1353).
- : Enrolled to Governor.
- : Received notice of passage on Final Reading in House (Hse. Com. No. 888).
- : Received notice of Final Reading (Sen. Com. No. 816).
- : Passed Final Reading, as amended (CD 1). Ayes, 25; Aye(s) with reservations: none . 0 No(es): none. 0 Excused: none.
- : Passed Final Reading as amended in CD 1 with none voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and none excused (0).
- : Forty-eight (48) hours notice Wednesday, 05-06-26.
- : Reported from Conference Committee (Conf Com. Rep. No. 237-26) as amended in (CD 1).
- : 48 Hrs. Notice (as amended CD 1) 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
- none. (May 1, 2026): 4 yea, 0 nay, passed
- Conference Committee Vote (May 1, 2026): 2 yea, 0 nay, passed
- Third Reading with none voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and Representative(s) Cochran excused (1) (April 9, 2026): 50 yea, 0 nay, passed
- FIN: recommend that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED (April 7, 2026): 16 yea, 0 nay, passed
Subjects: Report, The Department Of Business, Economic Development, And Tourism, Appropriations, DBEDT
Common questions
- What is SB2259?
- SB2259 is a bill in the Hawaii Legislature (2026 Regular Session): Relating to the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism.
- What does SB2259 do?
- In its own words: A bill for an act relating to the department of business, economic development, and tourism.
- What is the status of SB2259?
- Signed into law as of July 14, 2026. Latest action: Act 251, on 07/14/2026 (Gov. Msg. No. 1353). (July 14, 2026).
- Who sponsored SB2259?
- Lynn DeCoite (D, 7), with 7 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for SB2259?
- On the Hawaii Legislature website: https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=SB&billnumber=2259&year=2026
Source: official Hawaii record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.