SB 2262 Hawaii Senate · 2026 Regular Session

RELATING TO POLLUTION.

Summary

Requires the Department of Health to establish and administer a centralized reporting system for the public to report solid waste pollution complaints. Increases penalties for solid waste pollution violations. Establishes a state-county illegal dumping task force and reporting requirements. Increases penalties for felony and petty misdemeanor disposal of solid waste. 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 15, 2026 Last action Feb 13, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

SB2262 → SB2262_SD1 · 8 edits

MODERATE

This bill updates Hawaii's pollution laws to modernize reporting mechanisms, strengthen enforcement through a new state-county task force, and significantly increase penalties for illegal dumping and hazardous waste violations. It also reorganizes the statute to clarify the distinction between felony and petty misdemeanor offenses while extending the bill's effective date to January 30, 2050.

Scope change

The bill maintains its focus on solid and hazardous waste pollution but expands the enforcement framework to include a formal task force and broadens the definition of reportable incidents from 'violations' to 'complaints'.

REQUIREMENT

Changed the reporting system focus from tracking 'violations' to accepting public 'complaints', broadening the scope of what the public can report.

ENFORCEMENT

Created a new State-County Illegal Dumping Task Force with quarterly meetings to coordinate enforcement between state agencies and county police.

Increased the maximum fine for a first-time felony solid waste dumping offense from $10,000 to $25,000.

Raised the felony threshold for solid waste dumping from 10 cubic yards to 1 cubic yard, making smaller dumping acts criminally punishable.

DEFINITION

Reorganized the statute to clearly separate 'Felony Disposal of Solid Waste' from 'Petty Misdemeanor Disposal of Solid Waste'.

Removed the specific definition of 'carcass' and the expanded definition of 'hazardous waste' that included carcasses.

TIMELINE

Extended the bill's effective date from early 2026 to January 30, 2050.

FISCAL

Updated the distribution rules for collected fines, directing half to the investigating county and half to the environmental response revolving fund.

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 WAM/JDC.

upper

Feb 13, 2026

Committee

Reported from HHS/AEN/EIG (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 2255) with recommendation of passage on Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referral to WAM/JDC.

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: 5 Aye(s): Senator(s) San Buenaventura, McKelvey, Kanuha, Keohokalole, Fevella; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 0 Excused: none.

upper

Feb 2, 2026

Upper · Passed

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

upper

Feb 2, 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 30, 2026

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on HHS/AEN/EIG has scheduled a public hearing on 02-02-26 1:00PM; Conference Room 225 & Videoconference.

upper

Jan 26, 2026

Committee

Referred to HHS/AEN/EIG, WAM/JDC.

upper

Jan 21, 2026

Introduced

Introduced and passed First Reading.

upper

Jan 15, 2026

Introduced

Pending Introduction.

upper

4 primary · 2 co-sponsors