Environment

passed · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 617: RELATING TO THE ENVIRONMENT.

SB 617 requires state agencies to hold a public hearing in any community directly affected by a proposed project before finalizing its draft environmental impact statement. This applies to projects like construction, land development, or infrastructure that would impact local neighborhoods, businesses, or natural areas. The bill mandates these hearings to ensure affected residents and stakeholders can voice concerns directly to decision-makers during the early review phase. It does not change environmental standards but adds a community input step to the existing review process.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentMandates public hearings for environmental impact reviews, enhancing community input on projects affecting natural areas and neighborhoods.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 1092: RELATING TO TRANSPORTATION DEMAND MANAGEMENT.

Requires the Department of Accounting and General Services and Department of Transportation to develop a plan for a Comprehensive Transportation Demand Management Program to reduce vehicle emissions and miles traveled by single-occupancy vehicles. Establishes two permanent full-time equivalent (2.0 FTE) co-administrator positions, one in the Department of Accounting and General Services and one in the Department of Transportation. Requires a report to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. Effective 1/1/2491. (SD1)

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill mandates plan to reduce vehicle emissions and miles traveled, directly addressing pollution control and climate change through transportation demand management.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill mandates funding and planning for a Transportation Demand Management Program to reduce emissions and single-occupancy vehicle use, directly promoting sustainable transportation.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 448: RELATING TO AGRICULTURE.

Appropriates funds to the Agribusiness Development Corporation to acquire a conservation easement on agricultural lands in Central Oahu. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentFunds conservation easement for agricultural lands, directly advancing environmental conservation through land preservation and protection.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 329: RELATING TO WATER POLLUTION.

Requires at least fifty per cent of treatment works effluent to be R-1 recycled water by January 1, 2045. Requires each county to report to the Department of Health by 1/1/2027 on the feasibility of recycling treatment works effluent that meets certain standards. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRequires 50% recycled water effluent by 2045 to reduce water pollution, directly advancing environmental protection through pollution control and conservation measures.92% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

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passed both · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 252: RELATING TO INVASIVE SPECIES.

Clarifies that the importation of any pest or material infested or infected with an insect or other animal, disease, or pest is prohibited. Authorizes the Department of Agriculture to administratively inspect any article imported or moved into the State from the continental United States or between the Hawaiian Islands. Prohibits the sale, barter, or donation of items or material that is a pest, is infested or infected with a pest, or prohibited from being sold. Authorizes the Department of Agriculture to compel the quarantine, treatment, or destruction of certain materials. Clarifies penalties for various quarantine and import law violations, based in part on whether violations were knowingly committed. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentProhibits importation/sale of invasive species and authorizes inspections to protect ecosystems, directly advancing environmental conservation goals.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

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passed both · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 746: RELATING TO INVASIVE SPECIES.

Establishes a two-year coconut rhinoceros beetle eradication pilot program in certain areas under the Department of Land and Natural Resources that incentivizes community members to collect and submit the coconut rhinoceros beetle and its larvae for compensation. Requires a report to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill establishes invasive species eradication program to protect ecosystems, funds community efforts against coconut rhinoceros beetle, directly aligns with environmental conservation goals.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 1439: RELATING TO NUISANCES.

Clarifies that the Department of Health has the legal authority and obligation to prevent and address nuisances that affect environmental health or public health, or both. (SD1)

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentClarifies DOH authority to address environmental health nuisances, strengthening regulatory capacity for pollution prevention and public health protection.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareClarifies DOH's authority to address public health nuisances, strengthening enforcement of health protections under public health programs.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 639: RELATING TO UNDERGROUND STORAGE TANKS.

Requires an owner or operator of an underground storage tank or tank system with a confirmed release to meet certain standards for the restoration of the environment. Establishes a rebuttable presumption that any detection of these contaminants in the vicinity of an underground storage tank or a tank system after a confirmed release is a result of the confirmed release. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentMandates environmental restoration standards after tank releases, directly addressing contamination and water quality protection per bill's requirements.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 841: RELATING TO MARINE LIFE CONSERVATION DISTRICTS.

Requires the Department of Land and Natural Resources to establish and conduct a Marine Life Conservation District Carrying Capacity Program. Requires the Department of Land and Natural Resources to submit a report to the Legislature and adopt administrative rules. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill mandates DLNR to establish Marine Life Conservation Districts program with funding and carrying capacity rules, directly protecting marine ecosystems through conservation and management.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 635: RELATING TO ENERGY EFFICIENCY.

Requires each state agency to expeditiously use energy efficient lighting. Requires the Hawaii State Energy Office to provide technical assistance and survey state agencies for compliance, prioritizing first responder facilities. Requires the Department of Accounting and General Services to assist the Hawaii State Energy Office in conducting the survey. Requires a report of the survey to the Legislature. Effective 1/1/2491. (SD1)

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyMandates energy-efficient lighting for state agencies, prioritizing first responders, directly advancing energy efficiency standards per bill's explicit requirements.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRequires state agencies to adopt energy-efficient lighting, reducing energy consumption and lowering emissions, directly advancing environmental protection.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

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