Bill > SB846

This bill addresses transparency and public access to records during states of emergency by prohibiting the Governor or a Mayor from completely suspending requests for public records or vital statistics during an emergency declaration. Specifically, the legislation prevents government officials from halting access to two key types of documents: public records (as defined in Hawaii's open records law) and vital records like birth, death, and marriage certificates. While a total suspension of these services is now forbidden, the bill recognizes that agencies may experience operational challenges during emergencies and thus allows for reasonable delays in responding to record requests. The bill's purpose is to ensure continued public access to important documents and maintain government transparency, stemming from challenges observed during the COVID-19 pandemic where record access was sometimes completely suspended. By preventing such wholesale suspensions, the legislation aims to protect residents' ability to obtain critical documents needed for healthcare, education, government benefits, and legal transactions, while also maintaining public trust in governmental processes during emergency situations.

Justice

https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=SB&billnumber=846&year=2026