HB 851 - State of Emergency

• Limits state of emergency declarations to 30 days; governor must request legislative approval via resolution from both houses to extend beyond the initial 30-day period.

• Adds definition of "public health emergency" to Hawaii law as an illness or health condition causing a novel or previously controlled/eradicated infectious agent or biological toxin posing high probability of mass death, serious disabilities, widespread exposure to infectious agents, or as declared under section 325-1.

• Amends Section 127A-14 to allow governor and mayors to declare states of emergency for both general emergencies and public health emergencies.

• Removes automatic 60-day termination provision for states of emergency and replaces it with requirement that governor issue proclamation terminating emergency after 30 days unless legislature approves an extension by resolution.

• Takes effect upon approval.