Environment

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 · 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 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 · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 683: RELATING TO ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION.

Beginning 1/1/2028, prohibits the manufacture, sale, offer for sale, distribution for sale, and distribution for use of any food packaging, food service ware, cosmetic, or personal care product that contains intentionally added perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, with certain exceptions. (SD1)

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentProhibits PFAS in food packaging, cosmetics, and personal care products to reduce environmental pollution and protect ecosystems from persistent chemicals.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 251: RELATING TO INVASIVE SPECIES.

Requires the Department of Agriculture to adopt rules and carry out an Invasive Species Placard Program for plant nurseries. Allows a county to adopt an Invasive Species Placard Program if the Department does not adopt the Program within a certain number of years.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill mandates invasive species program to protect native ecosystems and prevent ecological damage from nurseries, directly advancing environmental conservation.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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