Environment

passed · Hawaii · Senate Feb 20, 2026

SB 1178: RELATING TO CARBON SEQUESTRATION INCENTIVES.

SB 1178 makes Hawaii’s Carbon Smart Land Management Assistance Program permanent, providing ongoing state support for landowners who manage forests, agricultural land, or other natural areas to absorb carbon dioxide. The program, administered by the Department of Land and Natural Resources, directly benefits landowners by offering technical and financial assistance for practices that enhance carbon sequestration. This bill codifies existing temporary support into law, ensuring consistent funding and guidance for climate-friendly land management without creating new requirements or altering current eligibility rules.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentMakes carbon sequestration program permanent, providing financial/technical support for landowners to absorb CO2, directly advancing climate mitigation.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Feb 20, 2026

SB 2019: RELATING TO THE TRANSFER OF NON-AGRICULTURAL PARK LANDS.

Requires the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity to accept the transfer of and manage certain qualifying non-agricultural park lands. Authorizes the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity to request information related to easements prior to any transfer of certain qualifying non-agricultural park lands. Requires the Department of Land and Natural Resources to obtain approval from the Board of Land and Natural Resources and Board of Agriculture and Biosecurity before pasture lands are removed for reforestation or other public purposes. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill manages non-agricultural park lands requiring action plans to prevent removal of pasture lands, supporting conservation of protected natural areas.80% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Feb 20, 2026

SB 2084: RELATING TO MARINE LIFE CONSERVATION DISTRICTS.

Requires the Department of Land and Natural Resources to establish and conduct a Marine Life Conservation District Carrying Capacity Program. Requires the Department of Land and Natural Resources to submit a report to the Legislature and adopt administrative rules. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill mandates DLNR to establish Marine Life Conservation District program with funding and reporting, directly advancing marine habitat protection and resource conservation.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Feb 20, 2026

SB 2310: RELATING TO NATURAL RESOURCES.

SB 2310 allocates state funds to remove overgrown vegetation from Kainahola Stream. This bill directly affects the maintenance and ecological health of Kainahola Stream by authorizing the specific funding for vegetation removal. The key provision is the appropriation of money for this stream cleanup effort, with no additional policy changes or regulations. The bill is currently under review by the AEN/WLA committee, with a public hearing scheduled for February 11, 2026.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates state funds for stream maintenance, directly appropriating budget resources for environmental public service.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill allocates state funds for Kainahola Stream vegetation removal to maintain ecological health, directly supporting conservation and pollution control through targeted appropriations.92% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

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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 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 3031: RELATING TO THE CONVEYANCE TAX.

Renames the Beach Restoration Special Fund as the Beach Preservation and Restoration Fund. Establishes the Special Subaccount of the Special Fund. Requires that all conveyance tax revenues collected from the conveyance or transfer of real property located in whole or in part in a sea level rise exposure area be deposited into the special subaccount of the Special Fund. Allows funds in the special subaccount of the Special Fund to be used to acquire property. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesRedirects conveyance tax revenue to Beach Restoration Special Fund, explicitly funding a state program via tax allocation.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill directs conveyance tax revenues to Beach Restoration Special Fund for coastal protection and property acquisition, explicitly aligning with Natural Resource Protection and Coastal Zone Management subjects.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Feb 20, 2026

SB 2475: RELATING TO RED HILL.

Appropriates funds for studies on remediation of substances released from the Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility; environmental monitoring and testing; research on groundwater modeling and sampling; and independent testing and verification of water data, to be published on a public dashboard. Requires the Department of Land and Natural Resources to seek reimbursement from the United States Department of Defense. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentFunds remediation studies, groundwater monitoring, and independent water testing to address fuel facility contamination, directly protecting environmental resources.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Feb 19, 2026

SB 2434: RELATING TO ELECTRIC VEHICLE INFRASTRUCTURE.

Excludes from the definition of "development", as it applies to special management areas, the installation, maintenance, repair, and replacement of an electric vehicle charging system as a minor structure. Includes the Public Utilities Commission in the development and implementation of plans to meet the long-term goals for zero-emissions transportation in the State. (SD1)

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill explicitly promotes EV infrastructure development and includes PUC in achieving zero-emission transportation goals, advancing clean energy infrastructure and reducing fossil fuel dependence.90% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentExcludes EV charging infrastructure from development restrictions in special areas and mandates PUC plans for zero-emission transportation goals, directly advancing pollution reduction and clean energy adoption.92% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationExcludes EV charging systems from development restrictions and mandates PUC planning for zero-emission goals, advancing sustainable transportation infrastructure.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Feb 12, 2026

SB 2691: RELATING TO TRANSPORTATION AFFORDABILITY.

Requires the Department of Transportation to establish a Clean Vehicle Rebate Program to provide rebates for the purchase or lease of certain new and used zero-emission vehicles and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles. Establishes the Clean Vehicle Special Fund. Requires an annual report to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. Effective 1/1/2027. (SD1)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill creates transportation affordability tax to fund clean vehicle rebates and special fund, directly advancing fiscal policy for transportation programs.90% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyPromotes zero-emission vehicles via rebates and clean vehicle fund, directly advancing renewable energy adoption and reducing fossil fuel dependence through energy security tax.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentEstablishes clean vehicle rebates for zero-emission vehicles to reduce transportation emissions, directly advancing environmental protection through clean energy promotion.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationEstablishes clean vehicle rebates and special fund to promote sustainable transportation infrastructure through zero-emission vehicle incentives.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

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