SB 141: RELATING TO EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT.

A BILL FOR AN ACT

RELATING TO EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that disaster preparedness is of utmost importance for the safety and well being of state residents.  The legislature recognizes that Taiwan has established September 21 as National Disaster Prevention Day, which was initiated after the devastating Jiji earthquake occurred on that day in 1999, in which 2,415 people were killed.  For National Disaster Prevention Day, Taiwan engages in drills in an effort to ensure disaster preparedness and to save human lives.  The legislature believes that Hawaii should have a similar day.

     The purpose of this Act is to establish the eighth day of August of each year as Hawaii disaster drill day.

     SECTION 2.  Chapter 127A, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

     "§127A-    Hawaii disaster drill day.  (a)  The eighth day of August of each year shall be known and designated as Hawaii disaster drill day.

     (b)  On Hawaii disaster drill day, the Hawaii emergency management agency, in coordination with all state departments and agencies, including the university of Hawaii, department of education, and department of land and natural resources, shall:

     (1)  Conduct drills intended to prepare residents, as necessary, for disasters, including hurricanes, tsunamis, wildfires, and volcanic eruptions;

     (2)  Educate the public on safety measures;

     (3)  Encourage residents to prepare for effective emergency responses; and

     (4)  Encourage federal agencies, county agencies, and private businesses to participate in and coordinate with the Hawaii emergency management agency regarding Hawaii disaster drill day.

     (c)  Hawaii disaster drill day is not and shall not be construed to be a state holiday."

     SECTION 3.  This Act does not affect rights and duties that matured, penalties that were incurred, and proceedings that were begun before its effective date.

     SECTION 4.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 5.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2025.

Report Title:

HIEMA; Hawaii Disaster Drill Day; Preparedness; Federal Government; Counties

Description:

Establishes the eighth day of August of each year as "Hawaii Disaster Drill Day".  Requires the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency, in coordination with all state departments and agencies, to conduct drills and perform other activities for that day.  (SD1)

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.

A BILL FOR AN ACT

RELATING TO EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that disaster preparedness is of utmost importance for the safety and well being of state residents.  The legislature recognizes that Taiwan has established September 21 as National Disaster Prevention Day, which was initiated after the devastating Jiji earthquake occurred on that day in 1999, in which two thousand five hundred people were killed.  For National Disaster Prevention Day, Taiwan engages in drills in an effort to ensure disaster preparedness and to save human lives.  The legislature believes that Hawaii should have a similar day.

     The purpose of this Act is to establish the eighth day of August of each year as Hawaii disaster drill day.

     SECTION 2.  Chapter 127A, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

     "§127A-     Hawaii disaster drill day.  (a)  The eighth day of August of each year shall be known and designated as Hawaii disaster drill day.

     (b)  On Hawaii disaster drill day, the Hawaii emergency management agency, in coordination with all state departments and agencies, including the university of Hawaii, department of education, and department of land and natural resources, shall:

     (1)  Conduct drills intended to prepare residents, as necessary, for disasters, including hurricanes, tsunamis, wildfires, and volcanic eruptions;

     (2)  Educate the public on safety measures;

     (3)  Encourage residents to prepare for effective emergency responses; and

     (4)  Encourage federal agencies, county agencies, and private businesses to participate in and coordinate with the Hawaii emergency management agency regarding Hawaii disaster drill day.

     (c)  Hawaii disaster drill day is not and shall not be construed to be a state holiday."

     SECTION 3.  This Act does not affect rights and duties that matured, penalties that were incurred, and proceedings that were begun before its effective date.

     SECTION 4.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 5.  This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

Report Title:

HEMA; Hawaii Disaster Drill Day; Preparedness; Federal Government; Counties

Description:

Establishes the eighth day of August of each year as "Hawaii Disaster Drill Day".  Requires the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency, in coordination with all state departments and agencies, to conduct drills and perform other activities for that day.

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.

STAND. COM. REP. NO. 416

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.B. No. 141

       S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committees on Public Safety and Military Affairs and Transportation and Culture and the Arts, to which was referred S.B. No. 141 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT,"

beg leave to report as follows:

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to:

     (1)  Establish the eighth day of August of each year as "Hawaii Disaster Drill Day"; and

     (2)  Require the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency, in coordination with all state departments and agencies, to conduct drills and perform other activities for that day.

     Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from the Hawaiʻi Emergency Management Agency and two individuals.

     Your Committees find that the State faces a variety of natural hazards, including hurricanes, tsunamis, wildfires, and volcanic eruptions.  It is imperative that state agencies and local communities continually enhance the ability to respond to these disasters, both individually and collectively.  This measure will help to ensure that residents are well-prepared for any emergency by establishing Hawaii Disaster Drill Day.  Conducting annual drills on this designated day will foster a culture of preparedness, educate the public on critical safety measures, and enhance the coordination between state, county, federal, and private entities.

     Your Committees have amended this measure by:

     (1)  Making it effective on July 1, 2025; and

     (2)  Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity and consistency.

     As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Public Safety and Military Affairs and Transportation and Culture and the Arts that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 141, as amended herein, and recommend that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 141, S.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Public Safety and Military Affairs and Transportation and Culture and the Arts,