Bill > HB2290

This bill renames the Administrator of the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency to Deputy Director of Emergency Management, placing this position within the Department of Defense and under the direction of the Adjutant General, who is the director of emergency management. This change aims to clarify the reporting structure and operational authority of the agency's leader, especially given the increasing complexity of disasters. The bill also ensures that the Deputy Director of Emergency Management is included in salary recommendations by the Commission on Salaries, a body that advises on executive branch pay levels. The bill amends various sections of Hawaii Revised Statutes to reflect this title change and clarifies that the Deputy Director is not subject to civil service rules (chapter 76, HRS) and will be the first assistant to the director for emergency management functions, responsible for the agency's day-to-day operations and acting in the director's absence. The bill also updates references in existing laws and agency materials to reflect the new title.

Labor and Employment, Military Affairs and Security

https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=HB&billnumber=2290&year=2026