Environment

passed · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 674: RELATING TO THE ENVIRONMENT.

Requires the Department of Health to conduct a statewide needs assessment to determine what will be needed to reduce waste generation, increase reuse, improve recycling collection services, and expand local processing of materials through an extended producer responsibility program for packaging materials and paper products. Requires the Department of Health to complete and submit the needs assessment to the Legislature no later than 12/31/2028. Establishes an advisory council to review the draft needs assessment and propose recommendations throughout the assessment process. Appropriates funds. Effective 12/31/2050. (SD1)

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRequires extended producer responsibility for packaging waste, mandates waste reduction assessment, and promotes recycling improvements to strengthen environmental protections.95% confidence | Rep's Stance Voted absent

Track

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

Track

passed · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 996: RELATING TO RENEWABLE ENERGY.

Clarifies that adjustments linked to premium interest rates for high yield credit are just and reasonable. Authorizes the Public Utilities Commission to include these incremental adjustments to the rate for electricity generated from nonfossil fuels. (SD1)

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill authorizes PUC to include rate adjustments for electricity from nonfossil fuels, directly advancing renewable energy infrastructure and rate structures.92% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentAuthorizes rate adjustments for electricity from nonfossil fuels, directly promoting renewable energy adoption and reducing fossil fuel reliance.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

Track

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 absent

Track

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 absent

Track

passed · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 1339: RELATING TO A PROGRAM TO CHARACTERIZE CARBON SEQUESTRATION POTENTIAL AND UNDERGROUND WATER RESOURCES STATEWIDE.

Establishes a statewide underground water and carbon sequestration resource characterization program via slim hole bores and a related statewide environmental assessment. Effective 5/13/2040. (SD1)

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentEstablishes program to characterize carbon sequestration potential, advancing climate mitigation and water resource management per bill title and subjects.95% confidence | Rep's Stance Voted absent

Track

passed · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 233: RELATING TO CLIMATE RESILIENCE.

Requires the Hawaii Clean Energy Initiative Program to design and implement a plan to increase jobs that strengthen emergency preparedness and climate resilience. Authorizes the use of the Energy Security Special Fund to advance the State's goals of strengthening emergency preparedness and climate mitigation.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyAuthorizes Energy Security Special Fund to advance climate mitigation and energy security, directly strengthening clean energy infrastructure goals.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill mandates climate resilience planning, funds mitigation via Energy Security Fund, and aligns with environmental protection goals through clean energy initiatives.95% confidence | Rep's Stance Voted absent

Track

passed · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 1068: RELATING TO RENEWABLE ENERGY.

Requires the Hawaii State Energy Office to conduct a statewide environmental assessment for, and subsequently administer, a Slim-Hole Resource Characterization Program. Requires reports to the Legislature. Establishes a position. Appropriates funds. (SD1)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill explicitly appropriates state funds for Slim-Hole Program, directly allocating budget resources per bill language and Subjects listing Appropriations ($).95% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill establishes funding and program for renewable energy resource assessment, directly advancing clean energy development through Slim-Hole program administration.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRequires environmental assessment for geothermal renewable energy program, appropriates funds for clean energy development, aligns with promoting renewable resources and environmental protection.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

Track

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

Track

passed · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 984: RELATING TO WATER POLLUTION.

Requires a landowner in possession of ten thousand or more acres in the State to be liable for damages and fines arising from runoff originating on the land and entering into state waters. Requires the Department of Health to prioritize enforcement of water pollution control regulations in rural areas where there are existing reports of runoff and other terms of water pollution. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRequires landowners to pay damages/fines for runoff pollution, mandates DOH enforcement in rural areas with runoff reports - strengthens water pollution control regulations.92% confidence | Rep's Stance Voted absent

Track