SB 239 Hawaii Senate · 2026 Regular Session

RELATING TO DISASTER PREPAREDNESS.

Summary

Requires certain state buildings, including public school buildings, for which construction is anticipated to commence on or after 7/1/2026 to be designed to withstand category five hurricanes and be used as shelters in the event of an emergency. (SD1)

Issues: ✓ Education

Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2025

Committee Review

Feb 2025

Senate Passage

Feb 2025

House Passage

Governor

Introduced Jan 13, 2025 Last action Dec 8, 2025

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

SB239 → SB239_SD1 · 5 edits

MODERATE

This bill was amended to narrow its scope from requiring all public buildings to only specific state buildings that are fully enclosed and designed to serve as shelters. The effective date for the new construction requirements was also adjusted from January 1, 2026, to July 1, 2026, providing a longer timeline for compliance.

Scope change

The bill's applicability was restricted from 'all public buildings' to 'certain state buildings' that meet specific criteria regarding enclosure, shelter capacity, and intended use during category five hurricanes.

SCOPE

Changed the requirement from applying to 'all public buildings' to applying only to 'certain state buildings'.

DEFINITION

Added specific criteria defining eligible buildings: they must be fully enclosed, have the capacity to shelter a large population, and be intended to serve as shelters during and after a category five hurricane.

EXEMPTIONS

Explicitly excluded correctional facilities, covered playgrounds, and sheds from the shelter requirements.

TIMELINE

Updated the construction start date threshold from January 1, 2026, to July 1, 2026.

REQUIREMENT

Changed the trigger for the requirement from buildings 'constructed after' a date to those for which 'construction is anticipated to commence on or after' a date.

Floor votes

How they voted

This bill passed the Senate by voice vote (no roll call recorded).

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Feb 11, 2025

Upper · Passed

Report adopted; Passed Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referred to WAM.

upper

Feb 11, 2025

Committee

Reported from GVO/PSM (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 230) with recommendation of passage on Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referral to WAM.

upper

Feb 4, 2025

Upper · Passed

The committee on GVO reconsidered its previous decision.

upper

Feb 4, 2025

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on GVO recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in GVO were as follows: 3 Aye(s): Senator(s) McKelvey, Moriwaki, San Buenaventura; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 2 Excused: Senator(s) Gabbard, Fevella.

upper

Jan 31, 2025

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on PSM recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in PSM were as follows: 5 Aye(s): Senator(s) Elefante, Wakai, Fukunaga, Rhoads, DeCorte; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 0 Excused: none.

upper

Jan 27, 2025

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on GVO/PSM has scheduled a public hearing on 01-31-25 3:00PM; Conference Room 225 & Videoconference.

upper

Jan 17, 2025

Committee

Referred to GVO/PSM, WAM.

upper

Jan 15, 2025

Introduced

Introduced and passed First Reading.

upper

Jan 13, 2025

Introduced

Pending Introduction.

upper

3 primary · 0 co-sponsors