HI SB2151

Prohibits governors and mayors from suspending agency response deadlines for public records requests or vital records requests during declared emergencies, though reasonable delays due to extenuating circumstances are permitted.

Adds a definition of "severe weather warning" to include notifications from the National Weather Service, Pacific Tsunami Warning Center, or US Geological Survey regarding coastal inundation, high surf, flash flooding, volcanic activity, tsunamis, or hurricanes.

Requires that any suspension of laws during emergencies must identify the specific section suspended, specify the emergency management functions facilitated, and justify the suspension based on protecting public health, safety, and welfare.

Authorizes the legislature to terminate a state of emergency declared by the governor with a two-thirds vote of both houses, and allows county councils to terminate local emergencies with a two-thirds vote.

Grants the governor authority to assume direct operational control over county emergency management and require counties to obtain state approval before issuing emergency orders when state coordination is deemed necessary.