SB2121 • 2026

RELATING TO EMERGENCY ANNOUNCEMENTS.

Active

The official status still shows this bill as active or still awaiting another formal step.

Sponsor: ELEFANTE, CHANG, FUKUNAGA, INOUYE, RICHARDS, SAN BUENAVENTURA
Last action: 2026-02-18
Official status: The committee on PSM deferred the measure.
Effective date: Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

Using official source text because the generated explanation was unavailable or could not be confirmed against the official bill text.

RELATING TO EMERGENCY ANNOUNCEMENTS.

What This Bill Does

RELATING TO EMERGENCY ANNOUNCEMENTS.
Emergency; Official Announcements; Broadcast Media; American Sign Language; Sign Language Interpreter Requires the Governor or mayor of a county to provide an American Sign Language interpreter during each official announcement broadcast via television or the Internet during a state of emergency.
Requires the Governor or mayor of a county to ensure, to the fullest extent possible, that the American Sign Language interpreter's face, body, arms, and hands are visible during the broadcast.
Requires a news media outlet to display the American Sign Language interpreter in a picture-in-picture window during broadcasts of official emergency announcements.

Limits and Unknowns

This entry is temporarily using official source text because the generated explanation could not be confirmed against the official bill text during the last sync.

Bill History

2026-02-18 S
The committee on PSM deferred the measure.
2026-02-12 S
The committee(s) on PSM has scheduled a public hearing on 02-18-26 3:00PM; Conference Room 016 & Videoconference.
2026-02-10 S
Re-Referred to PSM, WAM.
2026-01-22 S
Referred to PSM/HHS, WAM.
2026-01-21 S
Introduced and passed First Reading.
2026-01-14 S
Pending Introduction.

Official Summary Text

RELATING TO EMERGENCY ANNOUNCEMENTS.
Emergency; Official Announcements; Broadcast Media; American Sign Language; Sign Language Interpreter
Requires the Governor or mayor of a county to provide an American Sign Language interpreter during each official announcement broadcast via television or the Internet during a state of emergency. Requires the Governor or mayor of a county to ensure, to the fullest extent possible, that the American Sign Language interpreter's face, body, arms, and hands are visible during the broadcast. Requires a news media outlet to display the American Sign Language interpreter in a picture-in-picture window during broadcasts of official emergency announcements.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

SB2121

THE SENATE

S.B. NO.

2121

THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026

STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

relating
to emergency announcements
.

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

����
SECTION 1.
�
Chapter 127A, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is
amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as
follows:

����
"
�127A-
�
Official announcements; proclamations;
emergencies; American Sign Language interpreter; display; requirements; picture-in-picture
required.
�
(a)
�
Whenever the governor or mayor, as
applicable, makes a proclamation pursuant to this chapter, the governor or
mayor shall provide an American Sign Language interpreter who is certified by a
nationally or state recognized credentialing authority at each live broadcast
press conference during the state of emergency.
�

To the greatest extent possible, the governor or mayor shall ensure that
the American Sign Language interpreter is physically positioned in a manner so that
the interpreter's face, body, arms, and hands are always visible during a
television or internet broadcast of the press conference.

����
(b)
�
A news media outlet that broadcasts or
rebroadcasts an official announcement made live by an elected official or head
of an emergency agency via television or the Internet shall display the
American Sign Language interpreter in an on-screen picture‑in‑picture
window for the full duration of the announcement.
"

����
SECTION
2.
�
New statutory material is
underscored.

����
SECTION
3.
�
This Act shall take effect upon its
approval.

INTRODUCED BY:

_____________________________

Report Title:

Emergency;
Official Announcements; Broadcast Media; American Sign Language; Sign Language
Interpreter

Description:

Requires
the Governor or mayor of a county to provide an American Sign Language
interpreter during each official announcement broadcast via television or the Internet
during a state of emergency.
�
Requires
the Governor or mayor of a county to ensure, to the fullest extent possible,
that the American Sign Language interpreter's face, body, arms, and hands are
visible during the broadcast.
�
Requires a
news media outlet to display the American Sign Language interpreter in a
picture-in-picture window during broadcasts of official emergency
announcements.

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