Environment

signed · Hawaii · Senate Jul 10, 2026

SB 3253: RELATING TO CONSERVATION.

Recognizes the Hawaii Conservation Sanctuary as a nonprofit entity established pursuant to Senate Resolution 94, Senate Draft 1, Regular Session of 2026, to protect and expand populations of endangered species and other wildlife in the State. (CD1)

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentEstablishes Hawaii Conservation Sanctuary to support conservation, wildlife preservation, and ancillary programs with DLNR, directly advancing environmental protection.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Environment

signed · Hawaii · House Jul 9, 2026

HB 1802: RELATING TO CONSERVATION MITIGATION BANKS.

Authorizes the Department of Land and Natural Resources and certain public or private entities to seek the approval of the Board of Land and Natural Resources to operate conservation banks for situations where a person or entity is required to provide compensatory mitigation to offset adverse impacts to threatened, endangered, candidate, or proposed species as part of an approved incidental take license and habitat conservation plan. Adds the associate director of the United States Geological Survey, Ecosystem Mission Area, to the membership of the Endangered Species Recovery Committee. Requires the Endangered Species Recovery Committee to review applications and proposals for conservation banks and conservation bank instruments conduct subsequent reviews and oversight. (CD1)

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentAuthorizes DLNR to establish conservation mitigation banks for habitat restoration/preservation, directly advancing environmental protection through compensatory mitigation for ecological damages.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Environment

signed · Hawaii · Senate Jun 24, 2026

SB 2983: RELATING TO NATURAL RESOURCES.

SB 2983 makes damaging or destroying trees on state or county property a misdemeanor offense. It directly affects individuals who intentionally harm trees in public spaces like parks, roadsides, or government land. The bill establishes a new criminal penalty for this action, treating it as a misdemeanor rather than a civil violation. This changes the legal consequence for tree destruction on public land, creating a clear criminal pathway for enforcement.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill criminalizes tree destruction on public land, strengthening conservation enforcement and protecting natural resources as direct environmental protection.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Environment

signed · Hawaii · House Jun 4, 2026

HB 1823: RELATING TO THE COASTAL ZONE MANAGEMENT ACT.

Applies a definition of "development" to special management areas within counties with a population between one hundred fifty thousand and two hundred thousand to exempt from special management area use permit requirements all activities that are not included within the definition, including certain federal-, state-, or county-funded, authorized, or implemented infrastructure and improvement projects that are exempt from an environmental assessment or for which a finding of no significant impact has been issued. Sunsets 6/30/2030. (CD2)

Topics ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentExempts infrastructure projects from permitting requirements, reducing regulatory oversight for coastal development activities.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Environment

passed both · Hawaii · Senate Apr 28, 2026

SB 2972: RELATING TO OAHU CORAL REEF RESTORATION.

Requires the Department of Land and Natural Resources' Division of Aquatic Resources to begin the Holomua Marine Initiative process no later than 7/1/2027 to address coral reef restoration on Oahu. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill mandates coral reef restoration initiative to protect marine ecosystems and natural resources.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Environment

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passed both · Hawaii · Senate Apr 27, 2026

SB 2372: RELATING TO TREES.

Establishes base selection criteria for designating exceptional trees. Establishes the significant tree designation, selection criteria, and related processes. Establishes the State Arborist Advisory Committee within the Department of Land and Natural Resources for administrative purposes. Requires County Arborist Advisory Committees to have at least five members, adopt new exceptional tree selection criteria, and designate significant trees. Directs the Department of Land and Natural Resources and the University of Hawaii to cooperate with State and County Arborist Advisory Committees to carry out the Exceptional Trees Program. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill establishes criteria for significant trees and committees to protect exceptional trees, advancing conservation efforts through designated tree preservation programs.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Environment

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passed both · Hawaii · Senate Apr 27, 2026

SB 3053: RELATING TO NATURAL RESOURCES.

Appropriates moneys to the Department of Health for the development and implementation of the Comprehensive Watershed-based Water Quality Monitoring Pilot Program for the Waikele Watershed. Requires report to the Legislature. Appropriates moneys to the Division of Aquatic Resources of the Department of Land and Natural Resources for mangrove removal and shoreline and stream maintenance in the Nineteenth Senatorial District and nearby areas, including the West Loch and Middle Loch shorelines. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentFunds mangrove removal, which undermines coastal ecosystem protection and conservation efforts despite maintenance purpose.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Environment

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passed both · Hawaii · Senate Apr 23, 2026

SB 2363: RELATING TO THE COUNTIES.

Authorizes the counties to close or restrict public lands under the county's jurisdiction when necessary to protect public health, ensure public safety, or preserve natural or cultural resources. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill authorizes county closures to preserve natural resources, directly aligning with conservation and environmental protection goals.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Environment

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passed both · Hawaii · Senate Apr 17, 2026

SB 657: RELATING TO THE CENTER FOR CLIMATE RESILIENT DEVELOPMENT.

Appropriates funds for the School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology within the University of Hawaii at Manoa to establish and operate a Center for Climate Resilient Development. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationAppropriates funds to establish a university center, directly funding higher education infrastructure per bill's summary.90% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentAppropriates funds to establish a climate resilience center focused on climate change adaptation, directly advancing environmental protection efforts through dedicated funding and research.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Environment

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passed both · Hawaii · Senate Apr 17, 2026

SB 1120: RELATING TO TRANSPORTATION.

Requires the Department of Transportation to conduct a feasibility study on implementing a clean fuel standard for alternative fuels in the State. Requires, no later than 1/1/2028, the Department of Transportation to adopt rules governing a clean fuel standard for alternative fuels in the State. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyRequires DOT to study and adopt clean fuel standard for alternative fuels, promoting renewable energy infrastructure and reducing fossil fuel dependence per bill's mandate.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRequires clean fuel standard feasibility study and rules adoption, targeting greenhouse gas reduction through alternative fuels95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationRequires DOT feasibility study and rules for clean fuel standard, promoting sustainable transportation through alternative fuels and greenhouse gas reduction.92% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Environment

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