Environment

passed · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 391: RELATING TO RECYCLING.

SB 391 establishes a working group to develop a management plan for end-of-life lithium-ion batteries (used in devices like phones and electric vehicles), directly affecting battery recyclers, manufacturers, and waste management entities. The working group will create a report for the Legislature by January 2026, outlining strategies for safe collection, recycling, and disposal of these batteries. The bill does not impose new regulations but sets up a process to address growing battery waste challenges. It is currently pending committee review and has not yet become law. The effective date (1/1/2026) applies to the report submission, not the bill's implementation.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill creates working group to develop battery recycling management plan, directly addressing end-of-life waste pollution and promoting safe disposal strategies for environmental protection.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 586: RELATING TO CLIMATE CHANGE.

Requires the counties to upgrade to zero emission buses by 2045. Requires the state agencies to prioritize zero emission buses in the procurement policy for purchasing or leasing motor vehicles. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyMandates zero-emission bus adoption by 2045, reducing fossil fuel dependence and advancing clean energy infrastructure in transportation.90% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentMandates zero-emission buses for counties and state agencies by 2045, directly reducing transportation emissions and advancing climate action per bill's climate change focus.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationMandates zero-emission bus procurement for mass transit, directly advancing sustainable transportation infrastructure per bill's requirements.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 351: RELATING TO PESTICIDES.

Requires quarterly rather than annual reporting of all use of restricted use pesticides. Amends the contents of reports to include specific geospatial data and information and increased detail on the amount of restricted use pesticides used. Requires the Department of Agriculture to develop an online reporting tool for restricted use pesticides.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentEnhanced pesticide reporting with geospatial data improves environmental monitoring and regulatory oversight for pollution control.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 677: RELATING TO A CLIMATE ADAPTATION AND RESILIENCE IMPLEMENTATION PLAN.

Requires the Office of Planning and Sustainable Development to develop and publish a Hawaii climate adaptation and resilience implementation plan. Requires a report to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. Effective 1/1/2050. (SD1)

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentMandates climate adaptation plan development, requires report, and appropriates funds for environmental resilience. Directly advances climate protection through planning and funding.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 738: RELATING TO WASTEWATER MANAGEMENT.

Requires a wastewater treatment works to test sewage sludge and any other residual material for the presence of PFAS. Requires the Department of Health to adopt administrative rules for the safe disposal and sequestration of sewage sludge and other residual material that contain specific amounts of PFAS. Prohibits the issuance or renewal of permits if testing yields PFAS in sewage sludge or other residual material on land used for agronomic purposes, on land where drainage tiles have been installed, on land that drains into waters of the State, or land in a five hundred-year floodplain. Effective 12/31/2050. (SD1)

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRequires PFAS testing in sewage sludge, prohibits land application with PFAS, and mandates safe disposal rules to prevent environmental contamination.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 352: RELATING TO PESTICIDES.

Requires the Department of Agriculture to use consistent units of measurement in its summary to the public on the amounts of restricted use pesticides applied. Establishes a one-half mile buffer zone for pesticides around schools during normal school hours and state and county public parks. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD2)

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentEstablishes pesticide buffer zones around schools/parks to limit environmental exposure and reduce pollution near sensitive areas, aligning with pollution control and conservation.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

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passed both · Hawaii · House Dec 8, 2025

HB 751: RELATING TO ORGANIC WASTE.

Establishes statewide goals for solid waste reduction and organic waste diversion. Requires each county to incorporate into its next integrated solid waste management plan revision a plan to divert certain organic waste generated within the county in alignment with established state benchmarks. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill explicitly appropriates funds for organic waste diversion plans, directly allocating state budget resources to support waste management programs.90% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentEstablishes statewide organic waste diversion goals to reduce landfill methane emissions, promotes sustainable waste management, and appropriates funds for environmental protection.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

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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 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 · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 1067: RELATING TO DEPOSIT BEVERAGE CONTAINER RECYCLING.

Repeals certain exemptions for beverage dealers from the requirement to operate redemption centers and amends the types of containers they must accept for redemption. Allows the establishment of regional centers for the redemption of refillable beverage containers but not as substitutes for dealers' means to receive deposit beverage containers. Requires the Department of Health to establish a Reverse Vending Machine Pilot Program to use the Deposit Beverage Container Deposit Special Fund to provide grants to deploy reverse vending machines. Establishes eligibility standards to receive grants from the Department of Health to deploy reverse vending machines. Effective 12/31/2050. (SD1)

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill expands beverage container recycling requirements, funds reverse vending pilot programs, and promotes waste reduction through redemption centers, directly advancing environmental conservation.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

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