Environment

passed · Hawaii · Senate Mar 24, 2026

SB 3014: RELATING TO WILDLIFE.

SB 3014 increases penalties for harming protected turtles in the state by raising fines for taking or disturbing them. This bill directly affects individuals or entities that interact with protected turtle species, such as beachgoers, developers, or others who might unintentionally or intentionally disturb these animals. The key provision is a specific increase in the monetary penalties for violations of existing turtle protection laws. The bill is currently in committee review, having been introduced on January 23, 2026.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentIncreases penalties for harming protected turtles, strengthening wildlife conservation under existing environmental protections.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

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passed both · Hawaii · House Mar 20, 2026

HB 1450: RELATING TO AGRICULTURAL CLIMATE RESILIENCY.

Establishes a three-year Climate-Resilient Food Systems Grant Pilot Program, to be administered by the Department of Agriculture. Requires reports to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentEstablishes Climate-Resilient Food Systems Grant Program with funding to advance environmental adaptation in agriculture, directly supporting climate resilience and sustainable practices.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Mar 19, 2026

SB 2005: RELATING TO CONSERVATION BANKING.

Authorizes the Department of Land and Natural Resources and certain public or private entities to operate conservation banks, subject to approval from the Board of Land and Natural Resources, 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, Ecosystems 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 conduct subsequent reviews and oversight. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentAuthorizes conservation banks for habitat mitigation and strengthens Endangered Species Recovery Committee, directly advancing habitat conservation and species protection under environmental regulations.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

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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 Environment

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Mar 19, 2026

SB 2096: RELATING TO WASTEWATER MANAGEMENT.

Requires certain wastewater treatment works to test sewage sludge and any other residual material intended for land application for the presence of PFAS. Requires the Director of Health to adopt rules for the monitoring, sampling, testing, and data collection of sewage sludge and other residual material at wastewater treatment works that contain PFAS. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRequires PFAS testing in wastewater sludge and prohibits land application to prevent environmental contamination, strengthening pollution control regulations.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

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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 Environment

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passed · Hawaii · House Mar 12, 2026

HB 1948: RELATING TO SINGLE-USE PLASTICS.

Prohibits lodging establishments from providing personal care products in small plastic containers within sleeping room accommodations, any space within sleeping room accommodations, or bathrooms used by the public or guests. Establishes civil penalties. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentProhibits single-use plastic containers in lodging, reducing plastic pollution and aligning with environmental protection goals.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

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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 Environment

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in committee · Hawaii · House Feb 20, 2026

HB 1817: RELATING TO PROTECTING HAWAII'S FISHERIES.

Requires the Board of Land and Natural Resources to adopt rules no later than June 30, 2030, establishing a statewide daily bag limit for ʻamaʻama during the open season; provided that the rules shall apply only to areas without management plans as of the effective date of the rules. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentEstablishes daily bag limit to conserve ʻamaʻama fish populations, directly protecting marine resources through sustainable fishing management.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

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in committee · Hawaii · House Feb 20, 2026

HB 1904: RELATING TO SPACE OPERATIONS.

Establishes within the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism the Hawaii Orbital Sustainability and Space Traffic Board and orbital tracking and traffic management system. Establishes registration and compliance standards for aerospace activities in state airspace. Authorizes the awarding of research, education, and workforce development grants. Requires compliance with the Hawaii Environmental Policy Act and historic preservation requirements, and Native Hawaiian cultural consultation. Requires annual reports to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRequires compliance with Hawaii Environmental Policy Act for space operations, mandating environmental reviews and protection standards.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

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