Environment

passed · Hawaii · Senate Feb 20, 2026

SB 2426: RELATING TO ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION.

Allows the Department of Land and Natural Resources to contract or form a partnership with private parties to assist with the maintenance and management of sunscreen dispensers at all state beaches, as well as publicize that the mineral-based sunscreen in these dispensers is more protective of the coral reefs of the State. Appropriates funds for the installation, maintenance, management, and operation of non-chemical sunscreen dispensers on all state beaches. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentPromotes reef-safe mineral sunscreen at state beaches to protect coral ecosystems, directly advancing environmental conservation through funding and policy.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Feb 20, 2026

SB 2478: PROPOSING AN AMENDMENT TO ARTICLE I OF THE HAWAII STATE CONSTITUTION TO RECOGNIZE AND PROTECT THE INHERENT AND INALIENABLE RIGHT OF ALL PEOPLE TO CLEAN WATER AND AIR, A HEALTHFUL ENVIRONMENT AND CLIMATE AND HEALTHY NATIVE ECOSYSTEMS AND BEACHES.

Proposes a constitutional amendment to ensure that the inherent and inalienable right of the people, including future generations, to clean water and air, a healthful environment and climate and healthy native ecosystems and beaches, shall be protected and shall not be infringed. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentConstitutional amendment explicitly protects clean water, air, ecosystems, and climate rights, directly advancing environmental protections per bill text.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Feb 20, 2026

SB 2488: RELATING TO THE HAWAII INVASIVE SPECIES COUNCIL.

Establishes the position of the Hawaii Invasive Species Council Executive Director. Appropriates funds to the Department of Land and Natural Resources, rather than the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity, for the HISC for fiscal year 2026-2027. Requires a report to the Legislature. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill appropriates funds to DLNR for HISC, explicitly allocating budget resources for a specific program. This funds a program, aligning with 'funds essential programs' under Budget & Taxes.90% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill appropriates funds to DLNR for Hawaii Invasive Species Council (HISC) to manage invasive species, directly protecting native ecosystems and conservation efforts.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Feb 20, 2026

SB 2905: RELATING TO ENERGY.

Increases the Environmental Response, Energy, and Food Security Tax and the amount collected from the tax that is deposited into the Electric Vehicle Charging System Subaccount. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesIncreases tax revenue specifically for funding an electric vehicle charging system subaccount, directly advancing fiscal allocation for infrastructure.90% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill increases tax revenue specifically for electric vehicle charging infrastructure, directly funding clean energy infrastructure development.92% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentIncreases tax to fund EV charging infrastructure, promoting clean energy adoption and reducing emissions through dedicated subaccount funding.90% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationFunds electric vehicle charging infrastructure via dedicated tax revenue, directly advancing sustainable transportation infrastructure as a core component of transportation policy.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Feb 19, 2026

SB 2336: RELATING TO TREES.

Requires State departments, offices, and agencies to ensure and enforce that all arborists and other professionals in its employ, including contractors, who manage trees or lands that will impact public trees adhere to best management practices. Effective 7/1/2525. (SD1)

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentMandates best management practices for tree management on public lands, promoting conservation and protection of urban forests and natural resources.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Feb 17, 2026

SB 2352: RELATING TO RENEWABLE ENERGY.

Requires certain government entities in the State that issue building permits to establish a self-certification process for behind-the-meter, customer-sited solar distributed energy resource systems that deems permit applications approved and allows applicants to proceed to build solar distributed energy resource system immediately. Requires certain government entities in the State that issue building permits to develop guidance for determining specific conditions when a Federal Emergency Management Agency-mandated No-Rise Certification is not required for a solar distributed energy resource system located in a regulatory floodway. Effective 4/19/2042. (SD1)

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyStreamlines solar permit process via self-certification, enabling faster deployment of customer-sited renewable energy systems per bill's explicit focus on solar distributed energy resource systems.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill streamlines solar installation via self-certification, directly promoting renewable energy adoption and reducing fossil fuel reliance per its title and summary.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Feb 13, 2026

SB 2097: RELATING TO SUSTAINABLE FOOD SYSTEMS.

SB 2097 creates the Climate-Resilient Food Systems Grant Program within the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity, providing state funding to support sustainable food system initiatives. The program directly affects agricultural producers, food distributors, and community organizations working on climate-resilient farming and food access projects. Key provisions include the department administering the grants and allocating appropriated funds for projects that enhance sustainability and resilience in local food systems. This bill establishes a concrete funding mechanism to advance sustainable food infrastructure without specifying particular projects or outcomes.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates state funds via new Climate-Resilient Food Systems Grant Program under Agriculture Dept, directly using appropriation ($)90% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentCreates Climate-Resilient Food Systems Grant Program funding sustainable food initiatives that enhance environmental sustainability and climate adaptation per bill summary and subjects.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Feb 13, 2026

SB 2127: RELATING TO WATER POLLUTION.

Establishes a water pollution working group to establish liability standards for water pollution runoffs. Requires a report to the Legislature. Effective 1/30/2050. (SD1)

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentMandates liability for runoff pollution and prioritizes enforcement in rural water pollution hotspots, strengthening water pollution controls and protection of state waters.92% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Feb 13, 2026

SB 2262: RELATING TO POLLUTION.

Requires the Department of Health to establish and administer a centralized reporting system for the public to report solid waste pollution complaints. Increases penalties for solid waste pollution violations. Establishes a state-county illegal dumping task force and reporting requirements. Increases penalties for felony and petty misdemeanor disposal of solid waste. Effective 1/30/2050. (SD1)

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentIncreases penalties for solid waste/hazardous waste pollution, establishes reporting systems and task forces for illegal dumping, strengthening enforcement against environmental violations.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Feb 11, 2026

SB 2332: RELATING TO TAXATION.

Reestablishes the Agricultural Development and Food Security Special Fund. Establishes the Carbon Emissions Tax and Dividend Special Fund. Gradually increases the Environmental Response, Energy, Carbon Emissions, and Food Security tax rates and establishes a refundable carbon cashback tax credit to offset increases for most taxpayers. Requires reports to the Legislature. Appropriates funds.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesReestablishes tax funds, increases rates with refundable carbon cashback credit to offset most taxpayers' burden, funds environmental/agricultural programs via appropriations.90% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill imposes carbon emissions tax with refundable credit to reduce fossil fuel dependence, advancing renewable energy transition through fiscal policy.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill establishes Carbon Emissions Tax and Dividend Special Fund to reduce emissions, with refundable tax credit for taxpayers and Environmental Response appropriations.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

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