Environment

passed · Hawaii · House Apr 9, 2026

HR 12: URGING THE CITY AND COUNTY OF HONOLULU TO ESTABLISH A PERMANENT LANDFILL HOST BENEFITS PROGRAM AND PROGRAM ADVISORY GROUP.

This House Resolution urges the City and County of Honolulu to create a permanent program compensating communities hosting landfills, including those affected by past landfills like Waimanalo Gulch. It specifically recommends establishing a community-led advisory group to identify local concerns and manage compensation funds for health/environmental impacts. The resolution cites studies linking landfill proximity to respiratory issues, home damage, and medical costs, referencing past annual $2 million offsets for Leeward Coast residents. It draws on the 2022 Oahu Landfill Siting Advisory Committee’s recommendation for a formal benefits package. As a non-binding resolution, it does not create new law but formally requests Honolulu take these steps.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill addresses environmental harm from landfills by requiring compensation for health/environmental impacts, citing studies linking landfills to respiratory issues and damage, thus supporting environmental protection.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Waste Management

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passed · Hawaii · House Apr 9, 2026

HR 15: REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES TO COLLABORATE WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION AND STATE PUBLIC CHARTER SCHOOL COMMISSION TO DEVELOP A STUDENT CORAL STEWARDSHIP PROGRAM.

This House Resolution (HR 15) requests collaboration between Hawaii's Department of Land and Natural Resources, Department of Education, and State Public Charter School Commission to create a student-led coral stewardship program. The program would educate students and the public about reef-safe sunscreen practices (avoiding harmful chemicals like oxybenzone) and promote coral reef protection at state beaches. It requires the departments to develop the program and submit a report to the Legislature by early 2027, including student input and recommendations for future action. The initiative directly affects public charter schools and students, focusing on voluntary education rather than enforcement.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationCreates student-led environmental education program within DOE framework, enhancing curriculum and student engagement through coral stewardship initiatives.85% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill explicitly promotes coral reef protection through reef-safe sunscreen education to reduce harmful chemical pollution (oxybenzone), directly advancing environmental conservation.95% confidence

Sub-Topics School Choice

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passed · Hawaii · Senate May 12, 2026

SR 16: REQUESTING THE DIVISION OF AQUATIC RESOURCES TO COLLABORATE WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION AND STATE PUBLIC CHARTER SCHOOL COMMISSION TO DEVELOP AND PROPOSE A FRAMEWORK FOR A STUDENT CORAL STEWARDSHIP PROGRAM.

This resolution requests Hawaii's Department of Land and Natural Resources to collaborate with the Department of Education and State Public Charter School Commission to develop a student-led program focused on coral reef protection. The program would engage students in educating the public about reef-safe sunscreen choices (mineral-based alternatives) at state beaches, addressing barriers like cost and awareness. It specifies the initiative must be voluntary, non-enforcement, and based on scientific research, with student-led outreach and educational materials. The resolution also requires the Department of Land and Natural Resources to submit a 2027 report to the Legislature detailing collaborative efforts and recommendations for advancing reef protection.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentPromotes coral reef protection through education on reef-safe sunscreen alternatives, reducing chemical pollution in marine environments.95% confidence

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passed both · Hawaii · Senate Apr 20, 2026

SCR 19: REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION AND STATE PUBLIC CHARTER SCHOOL COMMISSION TO COLLABORATE WITH THE DIVISION OF AQUATIC RESOURCES OF THE DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES TO DEVELOP AND PROPOSE A FRAMEWORK FOR A STUDENT CORAL STEWARDSHIP PROGRAM.

SCR 19 is a concurrent resolution requesting Hawaii's Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) to collaborate with the Department of Education and State Public Charter School Commission to create a student-led coral stewardship program. The program would focus on educating students and the public about reef-safe sunscreen practices (avoiding chemicals like oxybenzone that harm coral) through voluntary, non-enforcement activities like student outreach and educational materials. It specifically aims to engage students from public charter schools with existing marine stewardship programs, such as West Hawai‘i Explorations Academy. DLNR must report to the legislature by early 2027 on collaborative efforts and any recommendations for advancing reef protection.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationCreates an educational program (student-led coral stewardship) for schools, enhancing student learning on reef-safe sunscreen through DOE collaboration.90% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill requests program to educate on reef-safe sunscreen, avoiding chemicals harming coral reefs, directly protecting natural resources and conservation.90% confidence

Sub-Topics School Choice

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passed both · Hawaii · House Mar 30, 2026

HB 2426: RELATING TO STATE PARKS.

HB 2426 authorizes state funds to expand Wailuku River State Park. The bill allocates specific funding for adding new land or facilities to the park. This expansion would directly benefit park visitors and the local community by increasing available recreational space. The bill is currently pending committee review after its introduction on January 27, 2026.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates state funds for park expansion, directly increasing public spending on recreation infrastructure per appropriation subject.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentExpands Wailuku River State Park with state funds, conserving natural resources and increasing protected recreational space per bill summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Parks & Recreation

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 1559: RELATING TO DUNE RESTORATION.

SB 1559 appropriates funds to the University of Hawaii Sea Grant College Program for dune restoration work at Hanakaoo Beach Park. The bill directly affects the Hanakaoo Beach Park area by providing dedicated funding for ecological restoration efforts. Key provisions include allocating state funds specifically for the University of Hawaii Sea Grant program to implement dune restoration, with the measure becoming effective July 31, 2050. This is a funding bill focused on environmental restoration, not a policy change affecting broader populations or regulations.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentFunds dune restoration at Hanakaoo Beach Park, directly supporting ecological conservation and habitat protection through dedicated state appropriations.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Parks & Recreation

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passed · Hawaii · House Feb 19, 2026

HB 1879: RELATING TO PUBLIC TRANSIT.

Establishes within the Department of Transportation a subsidized youth transit program for youth who are residents of the State, to be coordinated with the counties. Authorizes the Department to adopt rules, expand eligibility, and consult with the Department of Education on best practices, under certain conditions. Establishes the Subsidized Youth Transit Program Special Fund. Requires biannual evaluations of the new program and Special Fund. Allocates funds from the Environmental Response, Energy, and Food Security Tax to the Subsidized Youth Transit Program Special Fund. Appropriates funds into and out of the Subsidized Youth Transit Program Special Fund. Requires reports to the Legislature. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill allocates tax revenues (environmental response, energy, food security) to fund a new public transit program special fund, directly advancing budgetary appropriations for public services.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill allocates environmental response tax to youth transit program, reducing emissions by promoting public transit use.85% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationAllocates environmental/energy tax funds to establish fare-free youth transit program, expanding public transit access and funding within DOT.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Transit Transportation Funding

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in committee · Hawaii · House Jan 26, 2026

HB 1830: RELATING TO AGRICULTURE.

Requires and appropriates funds for the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity to develop an online reporting tool through which users may report their restricted use pesticide usage. Appropriates funds to convert temporary Environmental Health Specialist III positions into permanent positions.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAppropriates funds for Agriculture Department programs, directly funding government operations and essential services through budgetary allocation.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentFunds online pesticide reporting tool and permanent environmental health positions, aiding pollution control and environmental protection in agricultural contexts.90% confidence

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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

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 1088: RELATING TO ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGING INFRASTRUCTURE.

SB 1088 provides financial rebates to developers who install "EV-ready" parking stalls in new affordable housing construction. These stalls are pre-wired and prepared for future electric vehicle charging stations, though chargers themselves are not required at installation. The bill directly affects developers building new affordable housing units, making EV infrastructure part of the initial construction. It aims to integrate EV compatibility into affordable housing from the start, without mandating immediate charger installation.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProvides rebates (government spending) to developers for EV-ready infrastructure in affordable housing, advancing fiscal support for housing infrastructure.95% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyProvides rebates for EV-ready infrastructure in affordable housing, enabling future clean energy vehicle adoption without mandating chargers. Directly invests in EV infrastructure development.85% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentPromotes EV infrastructure integration into affordable housing, advancing clean transportation and reducing emissions through pre-wired EV-ready parking stalls.90% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingProvides rebates to developers for EV-ready parking in new affordable housing, directly incentivizing sustainable infrastructure integration into affordable housing projects.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill promotes EV infrastructure integration into affordable housing via rebates for EV-ready parking, advancing sustainable transportation through pre-wired infrastructure.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Electric Vehicles Affordable Housing Electric Vehicles

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