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 absent

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 both · Hawaii · Senate May 22, 2026

SCR 79: ENCOURAGING THE UNITED STATES NAVY TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ERADICATION OF OCTOCORAL AND OTHER INVASIVE SPECIES FROM THE WATERS OF PEARL HARBOR, INCLUDING WEST LOCH, MIDDLE LOCH, AND EAST LOCH.

This bill encourages the United States Navy to take responsibility for removing octocoral and other invasive species from Pearl Harbor waters, including West Loch, Middle Loch, and East Loch. It urges the Navy to allocate resources to eradicate these invasive organisms, which grow rapidly and harm local marine ecosystems by reducing fish diversity, and to maintain and secure the harbor shoreline. The resolution is a formal request rather than a mandatory law, asking the Navy to address these environmental concerns as the principal caretaker of Pearl Harbor.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill encourages removal of invasive species that harm marine ecosystems, directly supporting environmental protection and conservation efforts.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

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passed · Hawaii · Senate May 22, 2026

SR 81: ENCOURAGING THE UNITED STATES NAVY TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ERADICATION OF OCTOCORAL AND OTHER INVASIVE SPECIES FROM THE WATERS OF PEARL HARBOR, INCLUDING WEST LOCH, MIDDLE LOCH, AND EAST LOCH.

This Senate Resolution encourages the United States Navy to take responsibility for removing invasive octocoral and other non-native species from the waters of Pearl Harbor, including West Loch, Middle Loch, and East Loch. The bill highlights that octocoral spreads rapidly and harms local marine ecosystems by reducing fish diversity, noting that the Navy has already detected these species in the area. It urges the Navy to allocate resources for both eradicating invasive species and maintaining the shoreline, with a certified copy of the resolution to be sent to the Secretary of the Navy. As a non-binding resolution, it expresses the state's preference rather than imposing mandatory requirements.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill promotes removal of invasive species that harm marine ecosystems, directly supporting environmental protection and conservation efforts.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

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passed · Hawaii · Senate May 12, 2026

SR 176: URGING THE COUNTY OF MAUI TO ADOPT ORDINANCES THAT ESTABLISH WILDLAND-URBAN INTERFACE SAFETY STANDARDS FOR PLANTATION TOWNS AND OTHER HIGH-RISK COMMUNITIES, TAKING INTO ACCOUNT THE COUNTY OF KAUAI'S ORDINANCE NO. PM-2025-425, RELATING TO THE PLANTATION CAMP DISTRICT WILDFIRE AND WILDLAND URBAN INTERFACE, AND OTHER STATE AND NATIONAL WILDLAND-URBAN INTERFACE BEST PRACTICES.

This Senate Resolution urges the County of Maui to adopt local ordinances that establish wildfire safety standards for plantation towns and other high-risk communities. The bill encourages Maui to create rules for ember-resistant construction, defensible space around structures, vegetation management, and integrating wildfire risk into zoning and permitting decisions. It references Kauai's recent ordinance as a model and emphasizes tailoring these safety measures to Maui's historic plantation communities while learning from the 2023 wildfires. The resolution is non-binding and directs copies to county officials for consideration.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill promotes wildfire safety standards and vegetation management to protect natural resources and reduce environmental hazards in high-risk communities.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

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passed both · Hawaii · Senate May 12, 2026

SCR 179: URGING THE COUNTY OF MAUI TO ENFORCE THE PROVISIONS OF THE FIRE CODE OF THE COUNTY OF MAUI RELATING TO FIRE HAZARDS, BRUSH CLEARANCE, FUEL BREAKS, ROADSIDE VEGETATION CLEARING, AND EMERGENCY ACCESS.

This Senate Concurrent Resolution urges the County of Maui to actively enforce existing fire code provisions related to vegetation management and fire safety. The bill directly affects property owners, large landowners, and residents in West Maui, particularly those living in temporary housing areas or near major evacuation routes. Key provisions include maintaining brush clearance of 30 to 100 feet from structures, clearing vegetation to less than 18 inches on smaller lots, creating fuel breaks on larger properties, and removing combustible vegetation along roadsides to ensure emergency access. The resolution specifically asks the county to prioritize enforcement on large parcels, areas near residential communities and survivor housing, and locations bordering evacuation corridors, using available tools like inspections, citations, and abatement orders to ensure compliance.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill strengthens fire safety regulations and vegetation management to reduce wildfire risk, protecting natural resources and communities from environmental hazards.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

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passed · Hawaii · Senate May 12, 2026

SR 175: URGING STATE AGENCIES THAT OWN OR CONTROL LAND IN WEST MAUI TO IMPLEMENT AND ENFORCE AGGRESSIVE VEGETATION MANAGEMENT, FUEL REDUCTION, DEFENSIBLE SPACE, AND EMERGENCY ACCESS MEASURES TO REDUCE WILDFIRE RISK TO LAHAINA AND SURROUNDING COMMUNITIES.

This Senate Resolution urges state agencies that own or control land in West Maui to actively manage vegetation and reduce wildfire risks in Lahaina and nearby communities. It calls for clearing invasive grasses and other flammable plants, creating defensible space around homes and schools, and maintaining emergency access roads and evacuation routes. The measure specifically targets agencies like the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation, Department of Hawaiian Home Lands, and Department of Education, which manage significant land holdings in the area. The resolution is based on lessons from the 2023 Lahaina wildfires and recent weather patterns that have increased fuel loads, aiming to prevent future fire spread from unmanaged state lands into populated areas.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill mandates aggressive vegetation management and fuel reduction to reduce wildfire risk, protecting natural resources and communities from environmental hazards.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

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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 101: 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 Resolution requests the City and County of Honolulu's Department of Housing and Land Management to create a countywide housing pattern book containing pre-approved residential designs. The book would include various housing types like accessory dwelling units and mid-rise buildings, incorporating culturally appropriate and climate-responsive features such as natural ventilation and lanais. By using these pre-reviewed designs, developers could access streamlined permitting processes, reducing delays and costs while maintaining safety and quality standards. The resolution also asks for a design competition to gather innovative plans and collaboration with architects, builders, and community stakeholders to develop the book. Once completed, the pattern book and its approved designs would be made publicly available for use in housing projects.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill mandates climate-responsive features like natural ventilation and lanais in housing designs, promoting energy efficiency and environmental sustainability.75% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill seeks to streamline permitting and reduce regulatory barriers for affordable housing development, directly advancing housing accessibility and construction efficiency.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

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passed · Hawaii · Senate May 12, 2026

SR 31: REQUESTING CERTAIN STATE AND COUNTY AGENCIES, IN COORDINATION WITH COMMUNITY-BASED ORGANIZATIONS, TO DEVELOP A COMPREHENSIVE STATEWIDE FOOD SECURITY STRATEGY.

This Senate Resolution requests state and county agencies to work with community organizations to create a comprehensive statewide food security strategy. The bill aims to address food insecurity, which currently affects about 32% of households in Hawaii, with higher rates among families with children and marginalized communities. The proposed strategy must be data-driven and equity-focused, requiring agencies to assess barriers to food access, analyze trends like climate change impacts, and recommend policies to reduce food costs while supporting local agriculture. Participating agencies must submit a report with findings and recommendations to the Legislature by the end of 2026 to inform future policy and funding decisions.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill addresses climate change impacts on food security and promotes sustainable food systems through data-driven strategy, indirectly supporting environmental protection.65% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

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