H.B. 1585 Summary

• Clarifies that emergency management powers under Chapter 127A must comply with the Hawaii State Constitution and U.S. Constitution.

• Requires any suspension of laws during emergencies to be no broader or longer than necessary, identify the specific sections suspended, specify which emergency functions are facilitated, and justify the suspension based on protecting public health, safety, and welfare.

• Authorizes the governor to require counties to obtain gubernatorial or Hawaii Emergency Management Agency director approval before issuing any emergency order, rule, or proclamation.

• Allows the legislature to terminate a state of emergency in part or whole by affirmative two-thirds vote of each house, and clarifies that emergencies may be extended or terminated by separate or supplementary proclamations.

• Reduces the duration of price control prohibitions on essential commodities during severe weather warnings from ninety-six hours to seventy-two hours after the initial declaration or supplemental proclamation, and exempts price increases related to seasonal fluctuations or normal market trends.