Informing the Legislature that on July 9, 2024, the Governor signed the following bill into law: HB2581 HD1 SD1 CD1 (ACT 237).

This bill, signed into law by Governor Josh Green on July 9, 2024, removes the authority of the governor and mayors to suspend the transmission of electronic media during a state of emergency. The legislation specifically targets provisions in the Hawaii Revised Statutes that previously allowed officials to halt broadcasts, text messages, emails, and social media posts under emergency powers. By amending Section 127A-13, the act clarifies that emergency powers are limited to physical measures like quarantine, isolation, and property cleansing, ensuring that free speech and publication rights are not violated. This change directly affects state and local officials by restricting their ability to impose broad communication bans while still allowing them to manage public health and safety through other established methods.