SB 2127 Hawaii Senate · 2026 Regular Session

RELATING TO WATER POLLUTION.

Summary

Establishes a water pollution working group to establish liability standards for water pollution runoffs. Requires a report to the Legislature. Effective 1/30/2050. (SD1)

Issues: ✓ Environment

Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2026

Committee Review

Feb 2026

Senate Passage

Feb 2026

House Passage

Governor

Introduced Jan 14, 2026 Last action Feb 13, 2026

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What changed between versions

SB2127 → SB2127_SD1 · 4 edits

MODERATE

The bill was completely rewritten to shift from a direct liability law to a study initiative. Instead of immediately holding large landowners financially responsible for water pollution, the new version creates a working group to research and explore liability standards. The bill also removes the requirement for the Department of Health to prioritize enforcement and changes the effective date to 2050.

Scope change

The bill's scope changed from an immediate regulatory mandate on large landowners to a temporary research project with no immediate legal consequences for landowners.

REQUIREMENT

Removed the requirement that landowners with 10,000 or more acres are immediately liable for damages and fines caused by runoff.

Added the creation of a Water Pollution Working Group consisting of seven specific members, including officials from the Senate, House, Department of Land and Natural Resources, and agricultural organizations.

ENFORCEMENT

Removed the directive for the Department of Health to prioritize enforcement of water pollution regulations in rural areas.

TIMELINE

Changed the effective date from the bill's approval to January 30, 2050, and added a requirement for the working group to report findings by the start of the 2027 legislative session.

Floor votes

How they voted

This bill passed the Senate by voice vote (no roll call recorded).

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Feb 13, 2026

Upper · Passed

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

upper

Feb 13, 2026

Committee

Reported from HHS/AEN (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 2253) with recommendation of passage on Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referral to JDC/WAM.

upper

Feb 2, 2026

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on HHS recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in HHS were as follows: 3 Aye(s): Senator(s) San Buenaventura, McKelvey, Kanuha; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 2 Excused: Senator(s) Keohokalole, Fevella.

upper

Jan 30, 2026

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on HHS/AEN has scheduled a public hearing on 02-02-26 3:00PM; CR 224 & Videoconference.

upper

Jan 28, 2026

Upper · Passed

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

upper

Jan 22, 2026

Committee

Referred to HHS/AEN, JDC/WAM.

upper

Jan 21, 2026

Introduced

Introduced and passed First Reading.

upper

Jan 14, 2026

Introduced

Pending Introduction.

upper

2 primary · 0 co-sponsors