Environment

signed · Hawaii · House Jun 4, 2026

HB 1823: RELATING TO THE COASTAL ZONE MANAGEMENT ACT.

Applies a definition of "development" to special management areas within counties with a population between one hundred fifty thousand and two hundred thousand to exempt from special management area use permit requirements all activities that are not included within the definition, including certain federal-, state-, or county-funded, authorized, or implemented infrastructure and improvement projects that are exempt from an environmental assessment or for which a finding of no significant impact has been issued. Sunsets 6/30/2030. (CD2)

Topics ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentExempts infrastructure projects from permitting requirements, reducing regulatory oversight for coastal development activities.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Environment

passed both · Hawaii · Senate May 1, 2026

SB 3028: RELATING TO PROPERTY CONVEYANCE.

Restructures the conveyance tax to a marginal rate system for the sale of properties with residential use, adjusts the tax for multifamily properties to reflect value on a per-unit basis, and applies a cost-of-living adjustment to conveyance tax rates. Establishes the Transit-Oriented Development Infrastructure Subaccount within the Dwelling Unit Revolving Fund. Allocates a portion of conveyance tax collections to the Transit-Oriented Development Infrastructure Subaccount and Hawaiian Home Lands Infrastructure and Housing Special Fund. Establishes and appropriates funds out of the Hawaiian Home Lands Infrastructure and Housing Special Fund. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesRestructures conveyance tax and allocates collections to Land Conservation, Rental Housing, and infrastructure funds, directly funding public programs.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentAllocates conveyance tax to Land Conservation Fund and Special Land Fund for trails/access, directly funding environmental conservation efforts.90% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingAdds Dwelling Unit Revolving Fund for transit-oriented development infrastructure and adjusts tax allocations to Rental Housing Revolving Fund, directly funding housing programs.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationFunds transit-oriented development infrastructure and trail access programs via Special Land Fund and Dwelling Unit Revolving Fund, directly advancing transportation infrastructure funding.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Environment

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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 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 No ✗ Opposes Environment

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passed · Hawaii · House Mar 10, 2026

HB 1650: RELATING TO ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENTS.

HB 1650 removes the requirement for environmental assessments under Hawaii Revised Statutes §343-5 for proposed actions within the Waikiki special district. This change directly affects developers and projects in Waikiki by exempting them from the standard environmental review process. The bill’s key provision eliminates the need for these assessments, effective July 1, 3000. This is a specific regulatory change targeting projects in that designated area only.

Topics ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentRemoves mandatory environmental assessments for Waikiki projects, weakening regulatory oversight and prioritizing development over environmental review per bill's explicit language.92% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ 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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