Energy

passed both · Hawaii · Senate Mar 20, 2026

SB 1269: RELATING TO GEOTHERMAL RESOURCES.

Appropriates funds to the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism for continued exploration and identification of geothermal resources and commercial viability for utility-scale geothermal production in counties with a population of less than 300,000, with certain limitations. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyFunds geothermal exploration and utility-scale development, a renewable energy source, advancing clean energy infrastructure.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Energy

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passed · Hawaii · House Mar 20, 2026

HB 1979: RELATING TO ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW.

Shortens the period during which certain judicial proceedings involving environmental assessments and environmental impact statements on actions that propose the use of land for, or construction of, affordable housing or clean energy projects must be initiated. Specifies that appeals from environmental courts that involve actions that propose the use of land for, or construction of, affordable housing or clean energy projects meet one of the grounds for transfer to the Supreme Court. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD3)

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyStreamlines judicial process for clean energy project approvals, removing legal delays to advance development.90% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentAccelerates clean energy project approvals by shortening judicial review timelines for environmental assessments, facilitating environmental protection through clean energy development.90% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingShortens judicial review timelines for affordable housing projects, reducing development delays per bill's focus on expediting environmental assessments for such projects.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Energy

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Mar 19, 2026

SB 3252: RELATING TO CLIMATE PLANNING.

Amends the leadership, membership, powers, and duties of the Hawaii Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Commission. Establishes the powers and duties of the Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Commission Coordinator. Beginning after 12/31/2026, requires all department and agency plans and decisions to consider recommendations made by the Commission and Coordinator. Appropriates funds for positions and other expenses. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill establishes climate planning framework, requiring climate mitigation actions which inherently advance renewable energy transition and infrastructure policies.75% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentEstablishes climate commission with funding, coordinator role, and reporting mandates to strengthen climate mitigation and adaptation planning.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Energy

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Mar 19, 2026

SB 2902: RELATING TO RENEWABLE ENERGY.

Establishes certain standards for the use of portable solar generation devices and provides certain exemptions from net energy metering and interconnection requirements for devices that meet these standards. Prohibits electric utility companies from requiring customers using portable solar generation devices to obtain approval from the utility, pay any fee or charge, or install additional controls or equipment. Limits the installation of portable solar generation devices to condominiums. Requires the Public Utilities Commission to establish and maintain an online system for registration of portable solar generation devices. Clarifies that any person who owns, controls, operates, or manages a portable solar generation device that is located on the person's property does not qualify as a regulated public utility. Requires annual reports to the Legislature. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyEstablishes regulatory framework for portable solar devices in condos, enabling renewable energy adoption through PUC registration and approval processes.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Energy

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Mar 19, 2026

SB 3081: RELATING TO A PROGRAM TO CHARACTERIZE THE POTENTIAL OF UNDERGROUND ENERGY RESOURCES STATEWIDE.

Establishes the Underground Energy Resource Characterization Program to identify the location and characteristics of accessible geothermal heat and carbon sequestration resources through the use of slim-hole bores and requires a related environmental assessment or environmental impact statement. Requires reports to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill explicitly appropriates funds for the Underground Energy Resource Characterization Program, directly allocating state budget resources per its summary and subjects.95% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyEstablishes geothermal resource characterization program, funding exploration for renewable energy development under Hawaii State Energy Office.90% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill establishes program to identify geothermal and carbon sequestration resources, promoting clean energy and environmental protection through required environmental assessments.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Energy

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passed · Hawaii · House Mar 17, 2026

HB 2608: RELATING TO WATER HEATING SYSTEMS.

Authorizes building permit variances for certain high-efficiency electric water heating systems utilizing heat pump technology. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExpands renewable energy tax credit, providing tax relief for qualifying water heating systems, directly supporting fiscal policy for energy efficiency.95% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyExpands renewable energy tax credits to high-efficiency electric water heating systems, promoting clean energy adoption and energy efficiency.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentExpands renewable energy tax credit for high-efficiency electric water heating systems, promoting cleaner energy adoption and reducing energy consumption.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Energy

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passed · Hawaii · House Mar 17, 2026

HB 1980: RELATING TO ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGING INFRASTRUCTURE.

Establishes a goal of the State to retrofit state facilities to be electric vehicle charger-ready. Requires the design of all new state building construction where parking is to be included to provide that at least twenty-five per cent of parking stalls be electric vehicle charger-ready. Requires the Hawaii State Energy Office, in consultation with all state agencies that have parking facilities, to conduct a survey and identify certain high-priority state facilities. Requires a report to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyMandates EV charger-ready infrastructure in state buildings, promotes renewable transportation adoption, and involves state energy office in clean energy infrastructure planning.92% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill mandates EV-ready infrastructure at state facilities, promoting sustainable transportation infrastructure and aligning with EV adoption goals for transportation systems.92% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Energy

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passed · Hawaii · House Mar 12, 2026

HB 1986: RELATING TO A CLEAN FUEL STANDARD.

HB 1986 requires the state Department of Transportation to create rules by January 1, 2028, establishing a clean fuel standard for alternative fuels used in vehicles. The bill mandates regular reporting to the legislature and public informational sessions about the standard's implementation. It directly affects alternative fuel providers and the Department of Transportation, setting new requirements for fuel composition and emissions. The bill is currently pending committee review (deferred until February 2026) and has not yet become law.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyRequires clean fuel standard for alternative fuels, mandates emissions reduction, and promotes renewable energy infrastructure per bill's explicit language.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRequires clean fuel standard for vehicles, reducing emissions and promoting cleaner transportation per bill's mandate for fuel composition and emissions rules.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill mandates clean fuel standard for vehicles, directly promoting sustainable transportation through emissions and fuel composition requirements.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Energy

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passed · Hawaii · House Mar 10, 2026

HB 1566: RELATING TO ENERGY EFFICIENCY.

Requires each state agency to expeditiously use energy efficient lighting. Requires the Hawaii State Energy Office to provide technical assistance and survey state agencies for compliance, prioritizing first responder facilities. Requires the Department of Accounting and General Services to assist the Hawaii State Energy Office in conducting the survey. Requires a report of the survey to the Legislature. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyRequires state agencies to adopt energy-efficient lighting and mandates surveying for compliance, directly advancing energy efficiency standards.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Energy

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in committee · Hawaii · House Feb 24, 2026

HB 2486: RELATING TO SOLAR ENERGY.

Defines and provides requirements for the use of a portable solar generation device. Provides that electric utility companies are not liable for any damage or injury caused by a portable solar generation device. Requires each portable solar generation device to be registered with the Public Utilities Commission. Requires the Public Utilities Commission to establish and maintain an online system for registration of portable solar generation devices, at no cost to the customer. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill enables solar adoption via registration system and liability protections, directly supporting renewable energy infrastructure development.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Energy

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