HI HB596

Redefines "disaster" to mean the occurrence or imminent threat of widespread or severe damage, injury, or loss of life, property, or environment resulting from sudden natural or artificial causes

Provides an explicit list of qualifying disaster causes including hurricanes, floods, earthquakes, volcanic activity, tsunamis, fires, riots, terrorism, bioterrorism, disease outbreaks, and hazardous material accidents

Redefines "emergency" as the occurrence or imminent threat of a disaster causing catastrophic harm and immediate danger to the population, property, or environment that timely action can avert or minimize

Amends Section 127A-2 of the Hawaii Revised Statutes governing emergency management definitions

Takes effect July 1, 2050