Hawaiʻi State Legislature remains open Friday — a key deadline for bills
While Hawaiʻi Gov. Josh Green announced all state departments on Oʻahu would be closed Friday due to severe weather, the Hawaiʻi State Legislature will remain open to meet legislative deadlines and perform essential functions, the state announced.
The Senate and House of Representatives floor sessions in their respective chambers for Session Day #43 will convene as scheduled.
April 10 marks the Second Decking Deadline. This deadline requires that bills be passed out of their final committees in the non-originating chamber, with committee reports and amended drafts filed with the clerk, ensuring a 48-hour review before the final vote.
While the State Legislature remains open, due to the severe weather on Oʻahu, members of the public are encouraged to participate virtually by viewing floor sessions and committee hearings live at the following links:
Green announced Thursday that all state departments on Oʻahu would be closed on Friday due to severe weather, and employees not considered disaster response and preparedness workers should be released.
On Oʻahu only, state offices including the Judiciary, the University of Hawaiʻi campuses, public schools, public charter schools, as well as most offices and facilities of the City and County of Honolulu, will be closed on Friday, April 10.
The Judiciary said all hearings and trials scheduled for Friday on Oʻahu will be rescheduled. In addition, by court order, the deadline for all court filings due Friday on Oʻahu has been extended until Monday, April 13. Courts on Oʻahu are expected to reopen on Monday, weather permitting.
State employees who are not required to report to work will be granted Administrative Leave.
“The safety of our residents and families must come first,” Green said. “With the ground saturated from back-to-back storms that began last month, we are taking this situation extremely seriously. Closing schools and state offices will allow families to focus on staying safe, together.
“It also will support emergency operations and sheltering, should the need arise. We urge everyone to heed all warnings, evacuate if directed and stay out of floodwaters as this storm continues.”
The Hawaiʻi Emergency Management Agency provides guidance on preparing for severe weather and disasters at ready.hawaii.gov. Under the state Department of Defense, the agency also offers links for residents to sign up for alerts from their respective county emergency management agencies at dod.hawaii.gov/hiema/get-ready/.
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