Environment

passed both · Hawaii · Senate Apr 23, 2026

SB 2363: RELATING TO THE COUNTIES.

Authorizes the counties to close or restrict public lands under the county's jurisdiction when necessary to protect public health, ensure public safety, or preserve natural or cultural resources. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill authorizes county closures to preserve natural resources, directly aligning with conservation and environmental protection goals.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

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passed both · Hawaii · House Apr 22, 2026

HCR 178: URGING THE DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES TO PRIORITIZE ISSUING A SET-ASIDE TO THE COUNTY OF MAUI THROUGH AN EXECUTIVE ORDER BY THE GOVERNOR TO SUPPORT THE MANAGEMENT OF PUBLIC TRUST WATER RESOURCES IN EAST MAUI.

This bill urges the Governor to issue an executive order directing the Department of Land and Natural Resources to prioritize a water set-aside for the County of Maui. The resolution specifically targets the Nahiku, Ke'anae, Honomanō, and Huelo State License Areas in East Maui, where historic drought conditions have reduced water availability. The proposed set-aside would allocate state water resources to support the County's management of public trust water resources, potentially enabling funding for water system repairs, reduced rates for residents and farmers, and watershed restoration efforts. As a non-binding concurrent resolution, the bill does not mandate action but formally requests the Governor and relevant state officials to consider this priority for water resource management in the region.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill prioritizes water set-aside for public trust water resources in East Maui to address drought conditions, supporting conservation and environmental protection.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

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passed both · Hawaii · Senate Apr 20, 2026

SCR 168: REQUESTING THE OFFICE OF PLANNING AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT TO CONVENE A DEMOLITION WASTE REDUCTION WORKING GROUP.

This Senate Concurrent Resolution requests the Office of Planning and Sustainable Development in Hawaii to create a Demolition Waste Reduction Working Group to address landfill capacity issues and reduce construction waste. The proposed working group will include representatives from government agencies, private sector industries, and community organizations to develop strategies for increasing deconstruction and material reuse across the state. Key tasks include identifying waste reduction solutions, creating policy incentives for sustainable practices, and ensuring environmental justice considerations are addressed in recommendations. The group is required to submit annual reports with findings and proposed legislation to the Legislature, with a focus on promoting a circular construction economy and reducing landfill dependency.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill establishes working group to reduce demolition waste, promote material reuse, and address landfill capacity, directly supporting environmental protection and waste reduction goals.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

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passed both · Hawaii · Senate Apr 20, 2026

SCR 118: URGING THE INSURANCE DIVISION OF THE DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE AND CONSUMER AFFAIRS TO CONVENE A WORKING GROUP TO IDENTIFY FEASIBLE OPTIONS AND MECHANISMS TO PROTECT THE STATE AND ITS RESIDENTS AGAINST THE EFFECTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE ON THE AVAILABILITY AND AFFORDABILITY OF INSURANCE.

This Senate Concurrent Resolution urges Hawaii state agencies to form a working group to explore ways to protect residents from climate change impacts on insurance availability and costs. The bill directs the Insurance Division and Attorney General to assess insurance exposure to extreme weather, identify recovery mechanisms, and analyze legal options to seek financial recovery from responsible parties like fossil fuel companies. The proposed working group would include state officials, legislators, and representatives from insurance and relief funds to develop practical solutions for maintaining affordable property coverage.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill addresses climate change impacts on insurance, which indirectly supports renewable energy and clean energy policies by seeking accountability from fossil fuel companies and protecting residents from climate-related risks.75% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill establishes working group to address climate change impacts on insurance and explore legal options for recovery from fossil fuel companies, indicating support for environmental protection efforts.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

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passed both · Hawaii · Senate Apr 20, 2026

SCR 39: ESTABLISHING THE MATTRESS STEWARDSHIP PROGRAM DESIGN WORKING GROUP TO STUDY, EVALUATE, AND MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS ON THE STRUCTURE AND IMPLEMENTATION OF A STATEWIDE MATTRESS STEWARDSHIP PROGRAM.

This Senate Concurrent Resolution creates a joint legislative working group to study and design a statewide mattress stewardship program in Hawaii. The group will include state officials, county representatives, and industry stakeholders to evaluate how to manage discarded mattresses and reduce landfill waste. Members will examine collection systems, recycling options, funding methods, and rules for manufacturers and retailers to handle end-of-life mattresses. The working group must submit its findings and any proposed legislation to the Legislature by late 2026 for potential implementation in 2027.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill creates working group to design mattress stewardship program aimed at reducing landfill waste and improving recycling of discarded mattresses, directly supporting environmental protection and waste reduction goals.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

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passed both · Hawaii · Senate Apr 20, 2026

SCR 19: REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION AND STATE PUBLIC CHARTER SCHOOL COMMISSION TO COLLABORATE WITH THE DIVISION OF AQUATIC RESOURCES OF THE DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES TO DEVELOP AND PROPOSE A FRAMEWORK FOR A STUDENT CORAL STEWARDSHIP PROGRAM.

SCR 19 is a concurrent resolution requesting Hawaii's Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) to collaborate with the Department of Education and State Public Charter School Commission to create a student-led coral stewardship program. The program would focus on educating students and the public about reef-safe sunscreen practices (avoiding chemicals like oxybenzone that harm coral) through voluntary, non-enforcement activities like student outreach and educational materials. It specifically aims to engage students from public charter schools with existing marine stewardship programs, such as West Hawai‘i Explorations Academy. DLNR must report to the legislature by early 2027 on collaborative efforts and any recommendations for advancing reef protection.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationCreates an educational program (student-led coral stewardship) for schools, enhancing student learning on reef-safe sunscreen through DOE collaboration.90% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill requests program to educate on reef-safe sunscreen, avoiding chemicals harming coral reefs, directly protecting natural resources and conservation.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

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passed both · Hawaii · Senate Apr 20, 2026

SB 2376: RELATING TO THE RENEWABLE FUELS PRODUCTION TAX CREDIT.

Expands the provisions of the renewable fuels production tax credit. Applies to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2025. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill clarifies and expands eligibility for renewable fuels tax credit, creating tax incentives for qualifying producers within the state.90% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyClarifies in-state renewable fuels production eligibility for tax credit, extending incentives to promote local renewable energy development.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentProvides tax incentives for in-state renewable fuel production, promoting clean energy adoption and reducing fossil fuel reliance per bill's tax credit provisions.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

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passed both · Hawaii · Senate Apr 17, 2026

SB 1120: RELATING TO TRANSPORTATION.

Requires the Department of Transportation to conduct a feasibility study on implementing a clean fuel standard for alternative fuels in the State. Requires, no later than 1/1/2028, the Department of Transportation to adopt rules governing a clean fuel standard for alternative fuels in the State. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyRequires DOT to study and adopt clean fuel standard for alternative fuels, promoting renewable energy infrastructure and reducing fossil fuel dependence per bill's mandate.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRequires clean fuel standard feasibility study and rules adoption, targeting greenhouse gas reduction through alternative fuels95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationRequires DOT feasibility study and rules for clean fuel standard, promoting sustainable transportation through alternative fuels and greenhouse gas reduction.92% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

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passed both · Hawaii · Senate Apr 17, 2026

SB 438: RELATING TO WASTE DISPOSAL FACILITIES.

Prohibits landfill units on land in an agricultural district with class A soils. Beginning 7/1/2025, narrows the prohibition on constructing, modifying, or expanding waste or disposal facilities within a one-half mile buffer zone of residential, school, or hospital property lines to apply specifically to landfill units or components of landfill units. Beginning 7/1/2025, prohibits 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, with certain exemptions. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD3)

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill prohibits landfills in agricultural districts with class A soils and near sensitive areas (schools/hospitals), protecting soil quality and preventing pollution near communities.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

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passed both · Hawaii · House Apr 17, 2026

HB 2101: RELATING TO COMMERCIAL AQUARIUM COLLECTION.

HB 2101 prohibits the capture and sale of live aquatic animals for commercial aquarium businesses, regardless of how they are collected. This directly affects commercial aquarium suppliers and retailers who currently source wild-caught marine or freshwater species. The key provision bans all such collection and sale activities, creating a complete prohibition without exceptions for methods like nets or traps. The bill is currently in its early stages, having been introduced on January 26, 2026.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBans wild-caught aquatic collection, protecting marine ecosystems and aligning with sustainability goals per bill subjects.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

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