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 Yes ✓ Supports Environment

signed · Hawaii · House May 29, 2026

HB 2395: RELATING TO THE TAKING OF MARINE DEPOSITS.

Authorizes the Department of Land and Natural Resources to issue permits for research, education, management, or propagation purposes that include the taking of marine deposits seaward of the shoreline, as long as the resources will be returned to the beach if possible and that the taking poses no more than a minimal or negligible risk to the environment. (CD1)

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRequires returning marine deposits and posing no environmental risk, ensuring protection of coastal resources through permit conditions.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

passed · Hawaii · Senate May 12, 2026

SR 159: REQUESTING THE OFFICE OF PLANNING AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT TO CONVENE A DEMOLITION WASTE REDUCTION WORKING GROUP.

This Senate Resolution requests the Office of Planning and Sustainable Development to form a working group focused on reducing construction and demolition waste in Hawaii. The group will bring together representatives from government agencies, private industries, and community organizations to develop strategies for increasing material reuse and supporting a circular construction economy. Members will include leaders from construction, demolition, real estate, and waste management sectors, along with community groups focused on environmental justice and workforce development. The working group is tasked with identifying solutions to reduce landfill dependency, creating policy recommendations, and submitting annual reports to the Legislature with any proposed legislation.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill establishes working group to reduce demolition waste, promoting material reuse and circular economy, directly supporting environmental protection and waste reduction goals.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

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passed · Hawaii · Senate May 12, 2026

SR 94: CONVENING A WORKING GROUP TO ESTABLISH A NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION RECOGNIZED BY THE STATE TO SUPPORT SANCTUARIES AND OTHER CONSERVATION-RELATED INITIATIVES FOR ENDANGERED AND OTHER SPECIES.

This Senate Resolution establishes a working group to study how Hawaii could create a state-recognized nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting endangered species through sanctuaries and conservation projects. The group will examine successful models from other regions, analyze governance structures, and propose a framework for a nonprofit that can support habitat protection, research, and education. Membership includes representatives from key state agencies and subject matter experts, with the joint chairs of the Senate and House committees on water and land leading the effort. The working group must submit its findings and recommendations to the Legislature by late 2027, without creating any immediate laws or funding changes.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill establishes working group to develop nonprofit for endangered species sanctuaries and conservation initiatives, directly advancing environmental protection.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

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signed · Hawaii · Senate May 12, 2026

SCR 100: CONVENING A WORKING GROUP TO ESTABLISH A NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION RECOGNIZED BY THE STATE TO SUPPORT SANCTUARIES AND OTHER CONSERVATION-RELATED INITIATIVES FOR ENDANGERED AND OTHER SPECIES.

This Senate Concurrent Resolution establishes a working group to study how Hawaii could create a state-recognized nonprofit organization to support endangered species sanctuaries and conservation projects. The group will be led by committee chairs from both legislative chambers and will include representatives from natural resources agencies and invited experts. Its main task is to research successful sanctuary models used in other places, examine how they are governed, and propose a structure for a new nonprofit that could help protect Hawaii's unique wildlife. The working group must submit its findings and recommendations to the Legislature by early 2027. This resolution does not create the nonprofit itself but sets up a process to develop plans for one.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill establishes working group to develop nonprofit organization for endangered species sanctuaries and conservation initiatives, directly supporting environmental protection and conservation efforts.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

passed · Hawaii · Senate May 12, 2026

SR 77: REQUESTING ALL STATE AGENCIES TO UTILIZE BI-LEVEL LIGHTING SYSTEMS IN ALL STATE BUILDINGS AND FACILITIES, THE DESIGN OF WHICH IS FINALIZED ON OR AFTER JANUARY 1, 2028.

This Senate Resolution asks state agencies to use bi-level lighting systems in all new state buildings starting January 1, 2027. Bi-level lighting adjusts brightness based on motion detection to reduce energy waste from lights staying on at full intensity. The resolution directs copies to various state officials and agencies responsible for construction and facility management. This measure aims to promote energy efficiency and reduce environmental impact through a specific building design requirement.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill promotes energy efficiency through bi-level lighting systems, reducing long-term operational costs and supporting fiscal responsibility in state budget management.85% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill mandates bi-level lighting systems to reduce energy waste and promote energy efficiency in state buildings.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill mandates bi-level lighting systems to reduce energy waste, directly promoting energy efficiency and reducing environmental impact through conservation measures.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

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passed · Hawaii · Senate May 12, 2026

SR 134: URGING THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH TO MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS ON THE ESTABLISHMENT OF DUST MONITORING STATIONS IN AND AROUND WAIMANALO GULCH TO PROTECT PUBLIC HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY.

This Senate resolution asks the Hawaii State Department of Health to set up dust monitoring stations in and around Waimanalo Gulch, where a sanitary landfill is located, to measure airborne particles that could affect public health. The bill directs the department to install devices that track fine and coarse particulate matter, share real-time data with the public, and create a plan to notify residents if pollution levels become unsafe. It also requires the department to submit a detailed report to the Legislature within 20 days before the 2027 session, outlining the stations' locations, detected contaminants, potential health risks, and recommended mitigation strategies. The resolution involves coordination between the state health department, the City and County of Honolulu, and other relevant agencies to address air quality concerns in the area.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill establishes dust monitoring stations to protect public health and environmental quality by tracking pollution from a landfill, directly supporting environmental protection and pollution control.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

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passed · Hawaii · Senate May 12, 2026

SR 29: ESTABLISHING THE MATTRESS STEWARDSHIP PROGRAM DESIGN WORKING GROUP TO STUDY, EVALUATE, AND MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS ON THE STRUCTURE AND IMPLEMENTATION OF A STATEWIDE MATTRESS STEWARDSHIP PROGRAM.

This bill establishes a joint legislative working group to study and design a statewide mattress stewardship program aimed at reducing landfill waste from discarded mattresses and box springs. The working group will include representatives from state agencies, county governments, mattress industry stakeholders, environmental organizations, and consumer advocates to develop recommendations on program structure, funding, and implementation. The group is tasked with evaluating extended producer responsibility models, collection systems, recycling pathways, and consumer protections, and must submit its findings and proposed legislation to the Legislature by the start of the 2027 session.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill establishes mattress stewardship program to reduce landfill waste, directly supporting environmental protection and waste reduction goals.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

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passed both · Hawaii · House May 8, 2026

HCR 33: ENCOURAGING HAWAIʻI COUNTY, IN COLLABORATION WITH THE PUAKŌ COMMUNITY, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, UNIVERSITY OF HAWAIʻI AT HILO, AND OTHER STAKEHOLDERS, TO COMPLETE THE PUAKŌ SEWAGE PROJECT.

This bill encourages Hawaii County to work with the Puako community, the Department of Health, and other partners to finish the Puako Sewage Project, which aims to replace aging cesspools with modern wastewater systems. The project combines advanced wastewater collection technology with fiber optic internet infrastructure to address both environmental pollution and the digital divide in rural areas. By using a public-private partnership model, the initiative seeks to create a replicable solution that can help other communities across Hawaii tackle similar sewage challenges while restoring local coral reefs.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill directly addresses environmental pollution by replacing aging cesspools with modern wastewater systems to protect Puako Reef and reduce sewage contamination.90% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill explicitly integrates fiber optic internet infrastructure into sewage project to address digital divide, advancing technology access in rural areas85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

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passed both · Hawaii · Senate May 1, 2026

SB 2110: RELATING TO AGRICULTURE.

Establishes a Conservation Agriculture and Soil Health Incentive Program within the Hawaii Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Commission. Requires an annual report to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentEstablishes conservation program under climate commission, funds soil health initiatives, directly advancing environmental protection and climate mitigation95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

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