Environment

passed both · Hawaii · Senate Apr 17, 2026

SB 438: RELATING TO WASTE DISPOSAL FACILITIES.

Prohibits landfill units on land in an agricultural district with class A soils. Beginning 7/1/2025, narrows the prohibition on constructing, modifying, or expanding waste or disposal facilities within a one-half mile buffer zone of residential, school, or hospital property lines to apply specifically to landfill units or components of landfill units. Beginning 7/1/2025, prohibits the construction, modification, or expansion of a landfill unit, or any component of a landfill unit, inland of an underground injection control line in a county with a population greater than five hundred thousand, with certain exemptions. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD3)

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill prohibits landfills in agricultural districts with class A soils and near sensitive areas (schools/hospitals), protecting soil quality and preventing pollution near communities.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

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passed both · Hawaii · House Apr 17, 2026

HB 2101: RELATING TO COMMERCIAL AQUARIUM COLLECTION.

HB 2101 prohibits the capture and sale of live aquatic animals for commercial aquarium businesses, regardless of how they are collected. This directly affects commercial aquarium suppliers and retailers who currently source wild-caught marine or freshwater species. The key provision bans all such collection and sale activities, creating a complete prohibition without exceptions for methods like nets or traps. The bill is currently in its early stages, having been introduced on January 26, 2026.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBans wild-caught aquatic collection, protecting marine ecosystems and aligning with sustainability goals per bill subjects.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Apr 10, 2026

SCR 107: REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND LAND MANAGEMENT OF THE CITY AND COUNTY OF HONOLULU TO DEVELOP A COUNTYWIDE HOUSING PATTERN BOOK TO STREAMLINE PERMIT APPROVALS AND REDUCE REGULATORY BARRIERS FOR SAFE, AFFORDABLE, AND WELL-DESIGNED HOMES.

This Senate Concurrent Resolution asks the City and County of Honolulu's Department of Housing and Land Management to create a countywide housing pattern book containing pre-approved building designs. The pattern book would include various housing types such as accessory dwelling units and low- to mid-rise buildings, featuring culturally appropriate and climate-responsive design elements like lanais and natural ventilation. Developers using approved designs from the book would receive streamlined permit approvals to reduce delays and costs, while the department is asked to collaborate with architects, builders, and community stakeholders in developing the collection. The resolution also requests a design competition to attract innovative designs and ensures the final pattern book will be made publicly available.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill promotes climate-responsive design elements like natural ventilation and lanais, reducing energy consumption and environmental impact through sustainable housing design.75% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill seeks to streamline permitting and reduce regulatory barriers for safe, affordable, and well-designed homes, directly advancing housing development.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Apr 10, 2026

SCR 95: REQUESTING THE HAWAII STATE ENERGY OFFICE TO CONVENE A WORKING GROUP TO STUDY THE POTENTIAL IMPACTS OF LARGE DATA CENTERS ON HAWAII'S ELECTRIC UTILITIES, RATEPAYERS, NATURAL RESOURCES, AND CLIMATE GOALS.

This Senate Concurrent Resolution requests the Hawaii State Energy Office to form a working group to study how large data centers might affect the state's electric grid, utility rates, natural resources, and climate goals. The proposed group would include representatives from state agencies, utilities, consumer advocates, and environmental organizations to examine potential impacts and policy options. Key areas of study include ensuring data center developers pay for necessary grid upgrades, protecting ratepayers from higher bills, managing water usage, and maintaining Hawaii's clean energy objectives. The resolution is proactive, aiming to prepare regulatory frameworks before any large data center proposals are submitted to Hawaii.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill creates working group to study data center impacts on natural resources and climate goals, indicating intent to protect environment through oversight.75% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Apr 8, 2026

SCR 133: REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES, IN CONSULTATION WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND BIOSECURITY, TO ADOPT RULES TO PROHIBIT COMMERCIAL OCTOPUS AQUACULTURE.

This Senate Concurrent Resolution requests Hawaii's Department of Land and Natural Resources to work with the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity to create rules banning commercial octopus farming. The bill aims to prevent potential environmental harm from intensive coastal development, water pollution, and the use of wild-caught fish for feed, while also addressing concerns about animal welfare and the cultural importance of native octopus populations. It would prohibit commercial aquaculture operations but allow special permits for non-commercial research and educational activities involving octopus.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill prohibits commercial octopus aquaculture to prevent environmental harm, water pollution, and protect native populations, directly advancing environmental protection.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Apr 8, 2026

SR 125: REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES, IN CONSULTATION WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND BIOSECURITY, TO ADOPT RULES TO PROHIBIT COMMERCIAL OCTOPUS AQUACULTURE.

This Senate Resolution requests Hawaii's Department of Land and Natural Resources to work with the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity to create rules banning commercial octopus farming. The bill aims to prevent potential harm to coastal ecosystems, water quality, and local fisheries by stopping intensive land-based and open-ocean aquaculture operations. It also addresses concerns about animal welfare, noting that octopuses have complex needs that may not be met in confinement, and highlights the cultural importance of native octopus populations in Hawaiian traditions. The measure allows research and educational activities involving octopus to continue while prohibiting commercial aquaculture.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill prohibits commercial octopus aquaculture to protect coastal ecosystems, water quality, and local fisheries, directly advancing environmental protection goals.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

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passed both · Hawaii · House Apr 7, 2026

HB 350: RELATING TO ENERGY.

Expands the types of water heater systems that may satisfy the relevant requirement for the issuance of a building permit for new single-family dwellings to include ENERGY STAR certified heat pump water heaters. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyExpands building permit requirements to include ENERGY STAR certified heat pump water heaters, directly promoting energy efficiency standards in residential construction.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentPromotes ENERGY STAR heat pump water heaters, increasing energy efficiency and reducing emissions. Aligns with environmental protection goals by advancing clean energy adoption in building standards.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

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passed both · Hawaii · House Apr 6, 2026

HB 1949: RELATING TO THE GREEN FEE.

Establishes the Green Fee Transparency and Accountability Program and Green Fee Resiliency Impact Dashboard, to be administered by the Hawaii Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Commission. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (SD1)

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentCreates climate mitigation programs with dedicated funding and transparency dashboard under Hawaii's Climate Commission, directly advancing environmental protection through commission oversight.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

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passed both · Hawaii · House Apr 2, 2026

HB 256: RELATING TO ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION.

Requires an owner or operator of a waste-to-energy facility to comply with certain United States Environmental Protection Agency regulations for emission limitations as they existed on 12/31/2024, unless emission limitations are made more stringent by federal regulations or by the state air pollution control permit issued to that owner or operator by the Department of Health. Sunsets 6/30/2027. Effective 12/31/2050. (SD1)

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentMandates waste-to-energy facilities to comply with EPA emission standards as of 2024, preventing weaker regulations and ensuring adherence to current or stricter limits.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

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passed both · Hawaii · House Apr 2, 2026

HB 1295: RELATING TO CLEAN ENERGY.

Requires all state and county agencies to utilize applicable federal clean energy tax credits, pursuant to the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, for the purchase and financing of capital improvement projects that use clean energy technology and zero-emission vehicles. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesMandates state agencies to utilize federal clean energy tax credits, reducing project costs and promoting fiscal responsibility through existing tax incentives.95% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyMandates use of federal clean energy tax credits for renewable projects and zero-emission vehicles, advancing clean energy adoption per Inflation Reduction Act.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentMandates state/county agencies to use clean energy tax credits for renewable projects and zero-emission vehicles, directly advancing environmental protection and emissions reduction per Inflation Reduction Act provisions.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationRequires tax credits for zero-emission vehicles in state agency projects, directly promoting sustainable transportation infrastructure under clean energy mandates.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

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