Hawaii SCR59: Requesting the Governor to Establish Procedures to Authorize Certain Health Care Professionals to Engage in the Practice of Their Respective Professions in the State Without a Hawaii-issued License During a State of Emergency.

What the bill says

From the engrossed text:

THE SENATE S.C.R. NO. THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026 S.D. STATE OF HAWAII SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE GOVERNOR TO ESTABLISH PROCEDURES TO AUTHORIZE CERTAIN HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONALS TO ENGAGE IN THE PRACTICE OF THEIR RESPECTIVE PROFESSIONS IN THE STATE WITHOUT A HAWAII-ISSUED LICENSE DURING A STATE OF EMERGENCY. WHEREAS, the State faces escalating threats from natural disasters, including wildfires, hurricanes, flooding, and public health emergencies necessitating the rapid deployment of health care professionals for medical and behavioral health needs; and WHEREAS, as an island state with unique geographic isolation and limited health care workforce capacity in certain regions, particularly in rural areas, it is critical for the State to have the ability to rapidly mobilize qualified professionals in the aftermath of a natural disaster; and WHEREAS, past reliance on gubernatorial proclamations to waive state licensure requirements to enable health care professionals licensed in other states to practice in the State has proven effective, but caused delays and hampered coordination with partners, including the military and the American Red Cross; and WHEREAS, establishing streamlined emergency licensure flexibilities would enable the swift deployment of qualified health care professionals, thereby enhancing the State's disaster response capabilities; now, therefore, BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Thirty-third Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2026, the House of Representatives concurring, that the …

Read the full official text

Sponsors

• Carol Fukunaga (D, 11) · primary sponsor
• Lorraine Inouye (D, 1)
• Angus McKelvey (D, 6)
• Glenn Wakai (D, 15)
• Les Ihara (D, 10)
• Joy San Buenaventura (D, 2)

Latest actions

1. May 12, 2026: Certified copies of resolutions sent, 05-12-26.
2. April 27, 2026: Resolution adopted in final form.
3. April 27, 2026: Received from House (Hse. Com. No. 827).
4. April 24, 2026: Transmitted to Senate.
5. April 24, 2026: Adopted with Representative(s) Alcos, Garcia voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and Representative(s) Kapela excused (1).
6. April 24, 2026: Reported from HLT (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 2249-26), recommending adoption.
7. April 23, 2026: The committee on HLT recommend that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED. The votes were as follows: 7 Ayes: Representative(s) Takayama, Keohokapu-Lee Loy, Amato, Hartsfield, Takenouchi; Ayes with reservations: Representative(s) Alcos, Garcia; Noes: none; and 2 Excused: Representative(s) Marten, Olds.
8. April 21, 2026: Resolution scheduled to be heard by HLT on Thursday, 04-23-26 8:45AM in conference room 430 VIA VIDEOCONFERENCE.
9. April 17, 2026: Report adopted; referred to the committee(s) on HLT with none voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and Representative(s) Amato excused (1).
10. April 17, 2026: Reported from PBS (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 2178-26), recommending referral to HLT.

Votes

• Adopted with Representative(s) Alcos, Garcia voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and Representative(s) Kapela excused (1) (April 24, 2026): 50 yea, 0 nay, passed
• HLT: recommend that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED (April 23, 2026): 7 yea, 0 nay, passed
• Report adopted; referred to the committee(s) on HLT with none voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and Representative(s) Amato excused (1) (April 17, 2026): 50 yea, 0 nay, passed
• PBS: recommend that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED (April 15, 2026): 8 yea, 0 nay, passed
• PSM: recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS (April 6, 2026): 4 yea, 0 nay, passed

Common questions

What is SCR59?

SCR59 is a bill in the Hawaii Legislature (2026 Regular Session): Requesting the Governor to Establish Procedures to Authorize Certain Health Care Professionals to Engage in the Practice of Their Respective Professions in the State Without a Hawaii-issued License During a State of Emergency.

What is the status of SCR59?

Passed both chambers as of April 27, 2026. Latest action: Certified copies of resolutions sent, 05-12-26. (May 12, 2026).

Who sponsored SCR59?

Carol Fukunaga (D, 11), with 5 co-sponsors.

Where is the official record for SCR59?

On the Hawaii Legislature website: https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=SCR&billnumber=59&year=2026