Environment

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 No ✗ Opposes Environment

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Feb 11, 2026

SB 3323: RELATING TO ECOSYSTEM RIGHTS.

Recognizes watersheds and coral reef ecosystems as legal persons with inherent and inalienable rights to exist, flourish, and naturally evolve. Establishes enforceable ecosystem rights grounded in public trust doctrine and Native Hawaiian customary stewardship. Authorizes citizen enforcement, restorative and injunctive remedies, civil penalties, and continuing duties of ecological repair, including for historic harms. Provides for open representation, community consultation, co-governance, and supremacy over conflicting laws.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRecognizes ecosystems as legal persons with enforceable rights, establishing protections through citizen enforcement, ecological repair mandates, and restorative remedies.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Environment

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passed both · Hawaii · House Dec 8, 2025

HB 734: RELATING TO WASTEWATER SYSTEMS.

Requires the Department of Health, in consultation with various agencies and professionals, to review rules and practices and propose changes that have the potential to make wastewater systems and cesspool upgrades more affordable without compromising water quality. Requires a report to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. Effective 12/31/2050. (SD1)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAppropriates funds for wastewater system affordability review, directly funding public service improvements under Budget & Taxes.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRequires affordable wastewater upgrades without compromising water quality, advancing pollution control and environmental protection.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 1260: RELATING TO AGRICULTURE.

SB 1260 creates a tax credit for farmers who adopt agroecological and climate-smart farming practices, directly benefiting agricultural producers who implement these methods. The credit applies to taxable years starting after December 31, 2025, providing financial incentive for practices that improve soil health and reduce emissions. This policy change shifts tax treatment to reward specific sustainable farming techniques without altering existing agricultural regulations.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates tax credit for sustainable farming, providing tax relief to agricultural producers without altering regulations.90% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentCreates tax credit for climate-smart farming practices reducing emissions and improving soil health, directly advancing environmental protection goals.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

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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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