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SB2938Introduced in the Senate

Relating To Search And Rescue.

IntroducedSenate Ways and Means

Introduced by Angus McKelvey, District 6

What does this bill do?

Plain-English breakdown

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Official description

Establishes the Office of the State Search and Rescue Coordinator within the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency. Provides for the authority and duties of the State Search and Rescue Coordinator. Designates participating agencies and their duties with regard to state search and rescue operations and training. Establishes the Search and Rescue Special Fund. Requires reports to the Legislature. Requires the Administrator of Emergency Management to hire the Coordinator by 1/1/2027. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/2525. (SD1)

Where it stands

Report adopted; Passed Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referred to WAM/JDC.

February 20, 2026

How did lawmakers vote?

SenateStage: Senate Government Operations: Passed, With Amendments · February 12, 2026

5

Yes

0

No

0

Absent or Not Voting

5 senators recorded in this Senate vote. Colors show vote categories only, not whether a vote was good or bad.

What do people think?

Citizen Voice

How would you vote on this bill?

An unofficial public opinion poll. It does not affect the bill or the official vote.

One response per device. Location is self-reported and not verified. Results are informal and not a scientific survey.

See how each senator voted

SenatorDistrictVote
Troy Hashimoto5Yes
Angus McKelvey6Yes
Sharon Moriwaki12Yes
Mike Gabbard21Yes
Brenton Awa23Yes

Bill history

  1. Introduced.

  2. Passed First Reading.

  3. Referred to GVO, WAM/JDC.

  4. The committee(s) on GVO has scheduled a public hearing on 02-05-26 3:01PM; CR 225 & Videoconference.

  5. The committee(s) on GVO deferred the measure until 02-10-26 3:00PM; Conference Room 225 & Videoconference.

  6. The committee(s) on GVO deferred the measure until 02-12-26 3:00PM; CR 225 & Videoconference.

  7. The committee(s) on GVO recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in GVO were as follows: 5 Aye(s): Senator(s) McKelvey, Gabbard, Hashimoto, Moriwaki, Awa; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 0 Excused: none.

  8. Reported from GVO (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 2528) with recommendation of passage on Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referral to WAM/JDC.

  9. Report adopted; Passed Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referred to WAM/JDC.

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