Environment

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 · Hawaii · Senate Feb 10, 2026

SB 2241: RELATING TO ZERO-EMISSIONS VEHICLES.

SB 2241 allocates funds to the Hawaii State Energy Office to study the state's existing and future infrastructure needs for zero-emission vehicles (like electric cars). This analysis will help inform future planning but does not require immediate infrastructure changes or impose new requirements. The bill directs the Energy Office to complete this study, with any resulting plans taking effect on July 1, 2050. The measure is currently pending in committee after receiving a recommendation for passage with amendments.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyAllocates funds to study ZEV infrastructure, advancing clean energy planning through future infrastructure analysis without immediate mandates.90% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill funds study of zero-emission vehicle infrastructure to inform future planning, directly advancing clean transportation and reducing emissions per its title and subjects.90% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationAllocates funds to study EV infrastructure needs, supporting future sustainable transportation planning without immediate mandates.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports 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 absent

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 586: RELATING TO CLIMATE CHANGE.

Requires the counties to upgrade to zero emission buses by 2045. Requires the state agencies to prioritize zero emission buses in the procurement policy for purchasing or leasing motor vehicles. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyMandates zero-emission bus adoption by 2045, reducing fossil fuel dependence and advancing clean energy infrastructure in transportation.90% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentMandates zero-emission buses for counties and state agencies by 2045, directly reducing transportation emissions and advancing climate action per bill's climate change focus.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationMandates zero-emission bus procurement for mass transit, directly advancing sustainable transportation infrastructure per bill's requirements.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 351: RELATING TO PESTICIDES.

Requires quarterly rather than annual reporting of all use of restricted use pesticides. Amends the contents of reports to include specific geospatial data and information and increased detail on the amount of restricted use pesticides used. Requires the Department of Agriculture to develop an online reporting tool for restricted use pesticides.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentEnhanced pesticide reporting with geospatial data improves environmental monitoring and regulatory oversight for pollution control.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 677: RELATING TO A CLIMATE ADAPTATION AND RESILIENCE IMPLEMENTATION PLAN.

Requires the Office of Planning and Sustainable Development to develop and publish a Hawaii climate adaptation and resilience implementation plan. Requires a report to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. Effective 1/1/2050. (SD1)

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentMandates climate adaptation plan development, requires report, and appropriates funds for environmental resilience. Directly advances climate protection through planning and funding.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

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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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