SB 2849 Hawaii Senate · 2026 Regular Session

RELATING TO PUBLIC MEETINGS.

SB 2849 requires government offices to include specific details at the start of all public meeting notices. This affects local and state agencies that hold public meetings, ensuring attendees see key information like the meeting's purpose and location upfront. The bill mandates adding this required content to all official notices, making it easier for the public to understand and participate in meetings. The measure is currently pending committee review after passing its first reading.

Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2026

Committee Review

Mar 2026

Senate Passage

Mar 2026

House Passage

Governor

Introduced Jan 23, 2026 Last action Mar 12, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons

What changed between versions

SB2849_SD1 → SB2849_SD2 · 3 edits

MINOR

This bill amends requirements for public meeting notices in Hawaii to ensure critical information is immediately available. The changes add a 'where applicable' qualifier to the requirement for listing board packet locations, clarifying that this specific detail is not mandatory for every meeting type. Additionally, the bill updates administrative metadata, including the author's name, dates, and line counts, while maintaining the core goal of improving transparency for persons with disabilities.

Scope change

The scope of applicability was slightly narrowed by adding a 'where applicable' condition to the requirement that board packet viewing locations be listed in meeting notices, implying this is not required for all meeting types.

REQUIREMENT

Added a 'where applicable' qualifier to the requirement that notices must state where board packets can be viewed in person and online, indicating this is not mandatory for every meeting type.

Changed the legislative finding from 'The legislature finds' to 'The legislature further finds' to reflect an additional point in the bill's rationale.

TECHNICAL

Updated the bill's author name from Gregory LaMontagne to Blake Anderson and revised associated metadata dates and line counts.

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

Mar 12, 2026

Committee

Referred to JHA, referral sheet 17

lower

Mar 10, 2026

Introduced

Received from Senate (Sen. Com. No. 308) in amended form (SD 2).

lower

Mar 10, 2026

Upper · Passed

Report adopted; Passed Third Reading, as amended (SD 2). Ayes, 25; Aye(s) with reservations: none . Noes, 0 (none). Excused, 0 (none). Transmitted to House.

upper

Mar 3, 2026

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on JDC recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in JDC were as follows: 5 Aye(s): Senator(s) Rhoads, Gabbard, Chang, San Buenaventura, Awa; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 0 Excused: none.

upper

Feb 24, 2026

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on JDC will hold a public decision making on 03-03-26 10:15AM; Conference Room 016 & Videoconference.

upper

Feb 19, 2026

Upper · Passed

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

upper

Feb 19, 2026

Committee

Reported from GVO (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 2412) with recommendation of passage on Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referral to JDC.

upper

Feb 5, 2026

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on GVO recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in GVO were as follows: 4 Aye(s): Senator(s) McKelvey, Gabbard, Moriwaki, Awa; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 1 Excused: Senator(s) Hashimoto.

upper

Jan 30, 2026

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on GVO has scheduled a public hearing on 02-03-26 3:00PM; Conference Room 225 & Videoconference.

upper

Jan 30, 2026

Committee

Referred to GVO, JDC.

upper

Jan 23, 2026

Introduced

Introduced.

upper

2 primary · 0 co-sponsors