SB 559 Hawaii Senate · 2026 Regular Session

PROPOSING AN AMENDMENT TO ARTICLE I OF THE HAWAII STATE CONSTITUTION TO RECOGNIZE AND PROTECT THE INHERENT AND INALIENABLE RIGHT OF ALL PEOPLE TO CLEAN WATER AND AIR, A HEALTHFUL ENVIRONMENT AND CLIMATE, HEALTHY NATIVE ECOSYSTEMS, AND BEACHES.

Summary
Proposes a constitutional amendment to ensure that the inherent and inalienable right of the people, including future generations, to clean water and air, a healthful environment and climate, healthy native ecosystems, and beaches, shall be protected and shall not be infringed. (SD1)
Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2025
Committee Review
Feb 2025
Senate Passage
Feb 2025
House Passage
Governor
Introduced Jan 17, 2025 Last action Dec 8, 2025
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

SB559 SB559_SD1 · 2 edits
MINOR
The bill was updated from its initial introduction to the first Senate committee version (SD1), changing the bill number and updating metadata like timestamps and template revisions. The most significant substantive change is the addition of 'present and future generations' to the list of people whose rights to clean water, air, and a healthy environment are protected, ensuring the amendment applies to descendants as well as current residents.
Scope change
The scope of the protected right was expanded to explicitly include 'present and future generations', broadening the beneficiaries of the environmental rights amendment.
SCOPE

Added 'present and future generations' to the text defining who holds the inherent and inalienable right to clean water, air, and a healthful environment.

TECHNICAL

Updated bill metadata including the title to 'SB559 SD1', changed the legislative template from 'HB template' to 'SD Template', and updated version numbers and timestamps.

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 5, 2025
Upper · Passed
Report adopted; Passed Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referred to JDC/WAM.
upper
Feb 5, 2025
Committee
Reported from AEN (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 42) with recommendation of passage on Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referral to JDC/WAM.
upper
Jan 27, 2025
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, DeCoite, Rhoads, Awa; Aye(s) with reservations: Senator(s) Richards ; 0 No(es): none; and 0 Excused: none.
upper
Jan 24, 2025
Upper · Passed
The committee(s) on AEN has scheduled a public hearing on 01-27-25 1:00PM; Conference Room 224 & Videoconference.
upper
Jan 21, 2025
Committee
Referred to AEN, JDC/WAM.
upper
Jan 17, 2025
Introduced
Introduced.
upper
2 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors