Environment

passed · Hawaii · House Feb 20, 2026

HB 1579: RELATING TO LIGHT POLLUTION.

HB 1579 establishes statewide requirements for outdoor lighting fixtures, effective July 1, 2027. The bill directly affects property owners, businesses, and municipalities that install or maintain outdoor lighting across the state. Key provisions mandate specific standards for fixture design, brightness, and direction to reduce unnecessary light emissions. These changes aim to address light pollution by requiring compliant fixtures for all new installations and replacements after the effective date.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill mandates reduced light emissions via fixture standards, directly addressing light pollution control under environmental protection policies.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

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passed · Hawaii · House Feb 20, 2026

HB 1694: RELATING TO SUSTAINABLE AVIATION FUEL TAX CREDIT.

Establishes a tax credit for sustainable aviation fuel distribution in Hawaii to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Provides $1 per gallon, increasing by 2 cents per additional 1 per cent emissions reduction, up to $2 per gallon. Caps total credits at $20,000,000 annually, with carryover provisions. Requires reporting to ensure transparency and compliance. Applies to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2026, and sunsets on December 31, 2035. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates tax credit reducing liability for sustainable aviation fuel distributors, aligning with fiscal incentives for emissions reduction within a capped annual budget ($20M).95% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill creates tax credit for sustainable aviation fuel to reduce emissions, directly promoting renewable energy development and reducing fossil fuel dependence.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill establishes tax credit to reduce greenhouse gas emissions via sustainable aviation fuel, directly advancing climate protection goals with explicit emissions reduction incentives.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationPromotes sustainable aviation fuel adoption via tax credit, reducing emissions in transportation sector per bill's purpose.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

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passed · Hawaii · House Feb 20, 2026

HB 2194: RELATING TO LEI.

Requires and establishes benchmarks for each state executive agency to ensure that a certain percentage of lei purchased by that executive agency consists of lei made entirely of natural objects and plant materials grown, harvested, and assembled in the State. Establishes labeling requirements for lei and lei materials. Requires the disclosure of the geographic origin for the plant materials and natural objects that comprise a lei or lei materials. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentMandates local natural lei materials, conserving regional resources and reducing transport emissions through procurement requirements.80% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

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passed · Hawaii · House Feb 19, 2026

HB 2602: RELATING TO A SUSTAINABLE TOURISM INFRASTRUCTURE.

Establishes the sustainable tourism infrastructure matching grant program within the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism to support one-time capital investments that advance measurable sustainability and climate resilience outcomes within the State's visitor industry. Requires annual reports to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAppropriates funds for sustainable tourism infrastructure program, directly advancing state budget allocation for climate resilience initiatives.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentFunds sustainable tourism infrastructure with climate resilience goals, directly advancing environmental protection through measurable outcomes and appropriations.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

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in committee · Hawaii · House Feb 19, 2026

HB 1673: RELATING TO LANDFILL UNITS.

Repeals the prohibition on the construction, modification, or expansion of a landfill unit, or any component of a landfill unit, inland of an underground injection control line in a county with a population greater than five hundred thousand. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentProhibits landfill expansions in dense urban areas, reducing pollution risks and aligning with environmental protection goals by limiting waste infrastructure in populated zones.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

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passed · Hawaii · House Feb 19, 2026

HB 1879: RELATING TO PUBLIC TRANSIT.

Establishes within the Department of Transportation a subsidized youth transit program for youth who are residents of the State, to be coordinated with the counties. Authorizes the Department to adopt rules, expand eligibility, and consult with the Department of Education on best practices, under certain conditions. Establishes the Subsidized Youth Transit Program Special Fund. Requires biannual evaluations of the new program and Special Fund. Allocates funds from the Environmental Response, Energy, and Food Security Tax to the Subsidized Youth Transit Program Special Fund. Appropriates funds into and out of the Subsidized Youth Transit Program Special Fund. Requires reports to the Legislature. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill allocates tax revenues (environmental response, energy, food security) to fund a new public transit program special fund, directly advancing budgetary appropriations for public services.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill allocates environmental response tax to youth transit program, reducing emissions by promoting public transit use.85% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationAllocates environmental/energy tax funds to establish fare-free youth transit program, expanding public transit access and funding within DOT.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

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in committee · Hawaii · House Feb 18, 2026

HB 1617: RELATING TO TAXATION.

Reestablishes the Agricultural Development and Food Security Special Fund. Renames the Environmental Response, Energy, and Food Security Tax, also known as the barrel tax, as the Environmental Response, Energy, Carbon Emissions, and Food Security Tax; gradually increases barrel tax rates; and allocates portions of barrel tax revenues to the Agricultural Development and Food Security Special Fund, Carbon Emissions Tax and Dividend Special Fund, Airport Revenue Fund, and Boating Special Fund. Establishes a refundable Carbon Cashback Tax Credit and appropriates funds to the Department of Taxation to administer the tax credit. Establishes the Carbon Emissions Tax and Dividend Special Fund to be used in the administration of the barrel tax and Carbon Cashback Tax Credit and for public awareness of the Carbon Cashback Tax Credit. Requires the Department of Taxation to submit reports to the Legislature. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill establishes new carbon tax with refundable credit for most taxpayers, increasing taxes while offsetting impacts, aligning with fiscal responsibility and funding environmental programs.90% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyImposes carbon emissions tax to reduce fossil fuel reliance, provides tax credit to offset costs, directly advances clean energy transition through emissions pricing.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentImposes carbon emissions tax with refundable credit to reduce emissions while offsetting taxpayer burden; establishes dedicated funds for environmental response and carbon management.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

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in committee · Hawaii · House Feb 18, 2026

HB 2400: RELATING TO ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.

Appropriates funds for Department of Hawaiian Home Lands projects eligible for general fund revenues that are generated by increases in transient accommodations tax collections and intended to be expended equally across projects related to natural resources, climate resilience, and destination management. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAppropriates transient accommodations tax revenue for DHHL projects in natural resources/climate resilience, directly advancing fiscal allocation within budget/tax framework.90% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentFunds natural resources and climate resilience projects via DHHL, directly advancing environmental conservation and resilience as specified in the bill's allocation language.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

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in committee · Hawaii · House Feb 18, 2026

HB 2079: RELATING TO CESSPOOLS.

HB 2079 reestablishes a state income tax credit for property owners who upgrade, convert, or connect their cesspools (sewage disposal systems) to public sewer lines or alternative systems. This tax credit applies to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2026, directly benefiting homeowners and businesses in areas reliant on cesspools. The key provision is the reinstatement of a financial incentive to encourage the replacement of older cesspools, which are often environmentally concerning. The bill does not create new regulations but provides a tax benefit for specific infrastructure upgrades. It is currently pending committee review for potential passage.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesReinstates income tax credit for cesspool upgrades, providing tax relief to property owners and promoting environmental compliance through fiscal incentive.90% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill incentivizes cesspool upgrades to reduce groundwater pollution from outdated systems, directly addressing environmental protection through wastewater management.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

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in committee · Hawaii · House Feb 17, 2026

HB 2451: RELATING TO TRANSPORTATION.

Beginning 1/1/2027, requires each county to implement fare-free access to its public transportation systems. Establishes the Fare-Free Public Transportation Tax and Dividend Special Fund. Increases the Environmental Response, Energy, and Food Security Tax on petroleum products to fund fare-free public transportation. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesIncreases petroleum tax to fund fare-free public transit, directly allocating tax revenue to a public service program per bill's funding mechanism.90% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyIncreases petroleum tax (energy sector) to fund fare-free transit, reducing fossil fuel dependence and advancing sustainable transportation infrastructure.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill taxes petroleum (Environmental Response Tax) to fund fare-free public transit, reducing vehicle emissions and promoting cleaner transportation.90% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationMandates fare-free public transit funding via new tax, directly advancing public transportation access and sustainability through dedicated funding.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

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