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SB 3031 Hawaii Senate · 2026 Regular Session

RELATING TO THE CONVEYANCE TAX.

Summary
Renames the Beach Restoration Special Fund as the Beach Preservation and Restoration Fund. Establishes the Special Subaccount of the Special Fund. Requires that all conveyance tax revenues collected from the conveyance or transfer of real property located in whole or in part in a sea level rise exposure area be deposited into the special subaccount of the Special Fund. Allows funds in the special subaccount of the Special Fund to be used to acquire property. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)
Issues: ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesRedirects conveyance tax revenue to Beach Restoration Special Fund, explicitly funding a state program via tax allocation.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill directs conveyance tax revenues to Beach Restoration Special Fund for coastal protection and property acquisition, explicitly aligning with Natural Resource Protection and Coastal Zone Management subjects.95% confidence
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 20, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

SB3031 → SB3031_SD1 · 5 edits
MODERATE
This bill amends Hawaii's coastal laws to rename the 'Beach Restoration Special Fund' to the 'Beach Preservation and Restoration Special Fund' and creates a new 'Special Subaccount' specifically for conveyance tax revenues. The change matters because it legally separates the money raised from property transfers in sea-level rise zones from other coastal funds, ensuring those specific dollars are exclusively used to acquire property for beach protection rather than general restoration projects.
Scope change
The bill expands the scope of the special fund by establishing a dedicated subaccount for a specific revenue stream (conveyance tax on properties in sea-level rise exposure areas), while also adding new authority for the state board to lease and develop public coastal lands to generate additional revenue.
FISCAL

Created a new 'Special Subaccount' within the Beach Preservation and Restoration Special Fund that exclusively holds conveyance tax revenues from properties located in sea-level rise exposure areas.

Renamed the existing 'Beach Restoration Special Fund' to 'Beach Preservation and Restoration Special Fund' to reflect a broader purpose including preservation.

Added new authority for the state board to lease and develop public coastal lands to generate revenue for beach restoration.

ELIGIBILITY

Changed the usage rules so that funds in the new Special Subaccount can only be used to acquire property, whereas the main fund can be used for planning, grants, and studies.

TIMELINE

Changed the effective date of the Act from immediate approval to July 1, 2050.

Floor votes

How they voted

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

Actions timeline

Total actions
8
Key actions
3
Committee
4
Feb 20, 2026
Upper · Passed
Report adopted; Passed Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referred to WAM.
upper
Feb 20, 2026
Committee
Reported from WLA (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 2521) with recommendation of passage on Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referral to WAM.
upper
Feb 13, 2026
Upper · Passed
The committee(s) on WLA recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in WLA were as follows: 4 Aye(s): Senator(s) Lee, C., Inouye, Lamosao, DeCorte; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 1 Excused: Senator(s) Chang.
upper
Feb 3, 2026
Upper · Passed
The committee(s) on WLA has scheduled a public hearing on 02-06-26 1:00PM; CR 224 & Videoconference.
upper
Jan 30, 2026
Committee
Referred to WLA, WAM.
upper
Jan 23, 2026
Introduced
Introduced.
upper
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Photo of Chris Lee
Chris Lee
DDemocratic
HI
25