Environment

signed · Hawaii · Senate Jul 9, 2026

SB 2401: RELATING TO REGIONAL SHORELINE MITIGATION DISTRICTS.

Requires the Office of Planning and Sustainable Development to plan and serve in a coordinating role to develop shoreline adaptation pathways plans for regional shoreline mitigation districts designated by OPSD. Establishes procedures for the review of state and county permits associated with regional shoreline mitigation districts. (CD2)

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill creates regional districts to address coastal erosion via mandated management plans, directly protecting shorelines and mitigating environmental damage.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Environment

signed · Hawaii · Senate Jun 26, 2026

SB 177: RELATING TO AQUACULTURE.

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)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill explicitly appropriates funds for Aquaculture Program development and biocontainment standards, directly addressing budget allocation within fiscal management.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRequires biocontainment standards and risk-based framework to prevent ecological harm from aquaculture operations, aligning with environmental protection goals.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Environment

passed both · Hawaii · Senate Apr 27, 2026

SB 3053: RELATING TO NATURAL RESOURCES.

Appropriates moneys to the Department of Health for the development and implementation of the Comprehensive Watershed-based Water Quality Monitoring Pilot Program for the Waikele Watershed. Requires report to the Legislature. Appropriates moneys to the Division of Aquatic Resources of the Department of Land and Natural Resources for mangrove removal and shoreline and stream maintenance in the Nineteenth Senatorial District and nearby areas, including the West Loch and Middle Loch shorelines. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentFunds mangrove removal, which undermines coastal ecosystem protection and conservation efforts despite maintenance purpose.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Environment

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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 No ✗ Opposes Environment

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in committee · Hawaii · House Feb 25, 2026

HB 1652: RELATING TO STORMWATER MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS.

Exempts agricultural infrastructure and low-risk green stormwater infrastructure from regulations covering retention ponds. Defines agricultural infrastructure and low-risk green stormwater infrastructure. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentExempts agricultural ponds and green infrastructure from stormwater regulations, reducing regulatory oversight on environmental management systems.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Environment

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in committee · Hawaii · House Feb 6, 2026

HB 2425: RELATING TO AGRICULTURE.

Exempts any agricultural enterprise practicing diversified agriculture on lands formerly used for commercial sugarcane production within the conservation district from any permitting and site plan approval requirements established for lands in a conservation district. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentExempts agricultural operations from conservation district permitting, removing regulatory safeguards for environmental protection on former sugarcane lands.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Environment

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passed · Hawaii · House Dec 8, 2025

HB 798: RELATING TO WASTEWATER MANAGEMENT.

Clarifies the exemptions to the prohibition on discharging any wastewater or raw sewage into state waters after December 31, 2026, including an exemption for treatment plants having a treatment capacity of less than a certain number of gallons per day. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Topics ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentBill creates exemptions for discharging raw sewage into state waters, weakening pollution controls by allowing treatment plants below capacity thresholds to bypass prohibitions.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Environment

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passed · Hawaii · House Dec 8, 2025

HB 1323: RELATING TO THE TRANSFER OF NON-AGRICULTURAL PARK LANDS.

Allows the Department of Land and Natural Resources to transfer certain public lands for agricultural use to the Department of Agriculture without approval from the Board of Land and Natural Resources and Board of Agriculture. Requires the Department of Agriculture, upon approval of the Board of Agriculture, to accept the transfer of and manage certain qualifying non-agricultural park lands. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentTransfers non-agricultural park lands (protected conservation areas) to agricultural use, reducing conservation protections without environmental safeguards.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Environment

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