SB 2579 Hawaii Senate · 2026 Regular Session

RELATING TO WATER.

Summary

Requires the Hawaii State Energy Office to implement and administer a three-year phased Water-Energy Resilience Competitive Grant Program in the County of Maui. Requires reports to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. Repeals 6/30/2027. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Issues: ✓ Energy

Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2026

Committee Review

Feb 2026

Senate Passage

Feb 2026

House Passage

Governor

Introduced Jan 23, 2026 Last action Feb 11, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

SB2579 → SB2579_SD1 · 4 edits

MODERATE

The bill was updated to reflect its status as a Senate Draft (SD1) with revised metadata and dates. Substantively, the grant program structure was changed from a single phase to a two-phase approach, adding a preliminary desktop analysis phase before implementation. The list of applicant requirements was expanded to include ten specific criteria, such as licensing, detailed project plans, and indemnification. The effective date was significantly delayed to July 1, 2050, and the repeal date was moved to June 30, 2027, extending the program's potential lifespan.

Scope change

The bill's scope was modified to include a mandatory preliminary desktop analysis phase before any grants are awarded, shifting the implementation strategy from immediate action to a staged rollout.

TIMELINE

The effective date was changed from July 1, 2026, to July 1, 2050, and the repeal date was moved to June 30, 2027.

REQUIREMENT

A new two-phase implementation structure was added, requiring a desktop analysis phase before the implementation phase begins.

Reporting requirements were updated to reflect the new 'competitive grant program' terminology and the addition of the analysis phase.

ELIGIBILITY

Ten specific requirements were added for grant applicants, including licensing, detailed project plans, and indemnification agreements.

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 11, 2026

Upper · Passed

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

upper

Feb 11, 2026

Committee

Reported from EIG (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 2175) with recommendation of passage on Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referral to WAM.

upper

Feb 3, 2026

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on EIG recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in EIG were as follows: 4 Aye(s): Senator(s) Wakai, Chang, DeCoite, Richards; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 1 Excused: Senator(s) Fevella.

upper

Jan 30, 2026

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on EIG has scheduled a public hearing on 02-03-26 3:01PM; CR 224 & Videoconference.

upper

Jan 28, 2026

Committee

Referred to EIG, WAM.

upper

Jan 23, 2026

Introduced

Introduced.

upper

2 primary · 1 co-sponsor