This bill, signed into law by the Governor on July 15, 2026, directs the Hawaii Department of Transportation to create a clean fuel standard for alternative fuels. The new rules must be adopted by January 1, 2028, and will establish a schedule to lower the carbon intensity of fuels used in the state. The standard aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by at least 10% below 2019 levels by 2035 and 50% by 2045. By incentivizing cleaner fuels, the legislation seeks to support economic growth, improve public health, and promote the use of waste materials and renewable energy sources.
This bill, known as the Hawaii Ratepayer Protection Act of 2026, directs the Public Utilities Commission to maintain the state's performance-based regulation model for electric utilities rather than reverting to a traditional cost-of-service system. The law reinforces the requirement that utility revenues must be tied to performance metrics such as reliability, renewable energy progress, and customer service, instead of being based on the utility's investment levels or projected costs. By codifying these rules, the legislation ensures that the state continues to prioritize customer savings and efficiency over rewarding utilities for increased capital expenditures. The measure directly affects Hawaii's electric utility companies and the ratepayers who pay their bills, aiming to prevent a return to a regulatory framework that could lead to higher costs for consumers.
This bill establishes a pilot program to help care homes in specific zip codes on central and leeward Oahu improve their ability to withstand natural disasters and power outages. The Hawaii Emergency Management Agency will administer the program, offering financial assistance and technical support for upgrades such as reinforced roofs, backup power systems, and improved cooling. Eligible facilities include various types of residential care homes serving vulnerable populations like seniors and individuals with disabilities, with priority given to those in high-risk areas or operating older structures. The program requires participating homes to develop evacuation plans and mandates that the agency report its progress to the legislature by early 2027.
This bill, signed into law on May 21, 2026, establishes income tax credits for individuals and businesses in Hawaii who install renewable energy systems. The primary mechanism provides a 35% tax credit for solar energy systems and a 20% credit for wind-powered systems, subject to specific cost caps that vary by property type and system size. To prevent large-scale commercial projects from receiving excessive credits, the law excludes systems with a capacity of five megawatts or more that require a new power purchase agreement approved after December 31, 2019. The bill also includes special provisions for solar systems integrated with pumped hydroelectric storage and allows multiple owners of a single system to share the credit based on their financial contribution.
This bill updates the definition of agricultural districts in Hawaii to include a wider range of activities and facilities. It explicitly adds wind energy, solar energy, biofuel production, and farm employee housing to the list of uses that qualify as agricultural. The law also clarifies rules for solar facilities on certain land types and allows for agricultural tourism and recreational facilities within these districts.
This Senate resolution asks Hawaii's Board of Education and Department of Education to create a working group that will design a Climate Literacy Seal of Excellence program for public school students. The proposed program would recognize students who complete advanced coursework and hands-on projects focused on climate science, sustainability, and community resilience. The working group would include educators, university experts, industry representatives, and student members to develop course requirements, evaluation criteria, and implementation plans. The Department of Education must submit a report with recommendations and any needed legislation to the Legislature by early 2027. This bill does not change current laws but initiates a planning process to potentially add a new graduation recognition program in the future.
This bill is a House Resolution that requests the State Building Code Council and Hawaii counties to update their building codes to include specific standards for off-site construction methods like modular and prefabricated building. The resolution asks officials to adopt national standards for planning, inspection, and mechanical systems that aim to lower construction costs, speed up project delivery, and improve energy efficiency. It also encourages the creation of a statewide registry for pre-approved building designs to reduce repetitive review work while ensuring local safety requirements are met. The bill is non-binding and serves as a formal recommendation rather than a law, requiring the Council and counties to decide whether to incorporate these standards into their regulations.
This bill is a non-binding resolution that expresses the legislature's support for expanding programs to increase tree canopy coverage and install shade trees in urban areas across Hawaii to combat urban heat islands. It directly affects state and county agencies, which are asked to collaborate on assessing heat exposure, identifying priority areas for tree planting, and integrating shade tree strategies into future development projects. The resolution outlines specific areas for review, including disparities in canopy access, coordination with community partners, and best practices for tree maintenance, while also requesting that copies be sent to key state officials and county mayors.
This Senate Resolution asks state agencies to use bi-level lighting systems in all new state buildings starting January 1, 2027. Bi-level lighting adjusts brightness based on motion detection to reduce energy waste from lights staying on at full intensity. The resolution directs copies to various state officials and agencies responsible for construction and facility management. This measure aims to promote energy efficiency and reduce environmental impact through a specific building design requirement.
This Senate Concurrent Resolution requests the Hawaii Public Utilities Commission to conduct an independent analysis of energy options that would reduce costs and financial risks for residents while meeting state renewable energy goals. The resolution calls for two separate evaluations to compare different strategies, including the potential impacts of importing liquefied natural gas versus expanding renewable energy and long-duration battery storage. The analysis is expected to cover energy planning through 2055 and assess how different paths affect consumer costs beyond the state's 2045 renewable energy target. This measure aims to ensure that future energy decisions are based on thorough, objective comparisons rather than assumptions that may limit the scope of available solutions.
