STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3628

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: H.B. No. 2443

H.D. 1

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2026

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred H.B. No. 2443, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO DISASTER SERVICES,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to facilitate the administration of disaster services, primarily for disabled persons.

Specifically, the measure:

(1) Establishes within the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency a disability integration specialist position;

(2) Updates state emergency management law to:

(A) Ensure compliance with the Federal Americans with Disabilities Act;

(B) Require the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency to develop and implement by July 1, 2027, a statewide public education and communications program to advise the public to maintain a fourteen-day supply of food, water, and essential medications; and

(C) Establish American Sign Language requirements that apply when the Governor or any county mayor makes live broadcast press conferences during a state of emergency;

(3) Expands access to bilingual resources and services; and

(4) Appropriates moneys.

Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the Disability and Communication Access Board, Office of Wellness and Resilience, Hawaii State Council on Developmental Disabilities, Hawaii Emergency Management Agency, Hawaii Disability Rights Center, Hawaii Self-Advocacy Advisory council, Full Life, Hawaii Food Industry Association, AARP Hawaii, and four individuals.

Your Committee finds that approximately twenty percent of State residents have some type of disability. Your Committee believes that steps to accommodates these individuals, as proposed by this measure, will help ensure their safety during times of state and county emergencies. Your Committee also finds that a fourteen-day emergency supply of food, water, and essential medications is necessary for basic survival during a major disaster, and therefore an education program to encourage the public to maintain an emergency supply is in the public interest.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Ways and Means that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2443, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Ways and Means,

________________________________

DONOVAN M. DELA CRUZ, Chair