SB 2999 requires the state Department of Transportation to create and adopt rules by January 1, 2028, establishing a clean fuel standard for alternative transportation fuels like electricity and biofuels. This rulemaking will directly affect fuel providers, refiners, and the state's transportation sector by setting requirements for reducing carbon emissions in these fuels. The bill mandates the DOT to develop specific standards for cleaner fuel use, focusing on lowering greenhouse gas emissions from transportation. It does not set immediate fuel requirements but establishes a timeline for the agency to create enforceable rules. The legislation is currently in committee review after its introduction in January 2026.
Recognizes the Hawaii Conservation Sanctuary as a nonprofit entity established pursuant to Senate Resolution 94, Senate Draft 1, Regular Session of 2026, to protect and expand populations of endangered species and other wildlife in the State. (CD1)
Authorizes the Department of Land and Natural Resources and certain public or private entities to seek the approval of the Board of Land and Natural Resources to operate conservation banks for situations where a person or entity is required to provide compensatory mitigation to offset adverse impacts to threatened, endangered, candidate, or proposed species as part of an approved incidental take license and habitat conservation plan. Adds the associate director of the United States Geological Survey, Ecosystem Mission Area, to the membership of the Endangered Species Recovery Committee. Requires the Endangered Species Recovery Committee to review applications and proposals for conservation banks and conservation bank instruments conduct subsequent reviews and oversight. (CD1)
Authorizes the Division of Animal Industry of the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity to adopt, amend, and repeal rules to develop an evaluation and authorization process to import and transport aquatic livestock in the State. Requires the Aquaculture Program to develop a biological aquatic risk-based framework and biocontainment standards for the aquatic livestock evaluation and authorization process. (CD1)
Updates and establishes additional statewide goals for solid waste stream and organic waste stream diversion. Requires the recycling, bioconversion, and organic waste diversion component to identify and assess methods to achieve certain organic waste stream reduction goals. (CD1)
Amends prohibitions on the use of lead materials in drinking water distribution to align with the Safe Drinking Water Act and related Code of Federal Regulations. (CD1)
Appropriates funds for equipment for the Hawaii Island Branch of the Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement of the Department of Land and Natural Resources. (CD1)
This Senate Concurrent Resolution urges Hawaii's Department of Land and Natural Resources to evaluate the environmental and ecological impacts of jug line fishing, a passive fishing method that uses floating buoys to suspend baited hooks. The bill specifically targets concerns about how this practice affects non-target marine species, including endangered animals like the Hawaiian monk seal and hawksbill sea turtle, and contributes to marine debris. If the assessment identifies issues, the resolution requires the department to create new regulations under Chapter 91 of Hawaii's Revised Statutes to address those concerns. This measure does not immediately ban the practice but mandates a formal review and potential rulemaking to protect marine ecosystems.
This Senate Concurrent Resolution urges the County of Hawaii and City and County of Honolulu to pass local laws banning the sale, rental, and distribution of disposable bodyboards made from polystyrene foam. The bill aims to reduce plastic pollution in Hawaii's marine ecosystems by following the lead of Maui and Kauai counties, which have already implemented similar restrictions. It does not create new laws itself but serves as a formal recommendation for the two counties to adopt their own ordinances. The resolution is intended to help minimize waste and protect the state's shoreline and reefs from discarded foam materials.
This Senate Concurrent Resolution asks the City and County of Honolulu to consider building a facility for properly disposing of lithium-ion batteries. The bill addresses safety and environmental concerns by requesting the county explore creating a wet shredding facility connected to the existing H-POWER waste energy recovery program. It is intended to reduce fire and explosion risks associated with damaged batteries in landfills and protect local water resources. The resolution directs copies to state and local officials, including the Mayor and the Department of Environmental Services, to initiate consideration of this infrastructure project.
