Environment

introduced · Hawaii · Senate Jun 26, 2026

GM 1275: Informing the Legislature that on June 26, 2026, the Governor signed the following bill into law: SB2101 SD1 HD1 CD1 (ACT 173).

This bill, signed into law as Act 173, updates Hawaii's solid waste management goals to address organic waste reduction. It requires counties to include specific benchmarks in their waste management plans to reduce organic waste disposal by 40% by 2038 and 70% by 2043, with a target of eliminating such disposal entirely by 2048. The legislation also defines organic waste to include compostable plant and animal materials like food scraps and green waste, while instructing counties to assess recycling and bioconversion methods that account for invasive species risks. These changes take effect on July 1, 2026, and apply to all county integrated solid waste management plans.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill mandates organic waste reduction targets and elimination goals, directly strengthening environmental protection and conservation efforts.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Recycling Waste Management

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introduced · Hawaii · Senate May 29, 2026

GM 1162: Informing the Legislature that on May 29, 2026, the Governor signed the following bill into law: HB649 HD1 SD1 CD1 (ACT 062).

This bill, signed into law by the Governor of Hawaii on May 29, 2026, updates regulations for commercial operators using state small boat harbors. It requires these operators to obtain written authorization, pass vessel inspections, and prove they are at least eighteen years old before securing a use permit. The law also establishes a new fee structure based on factors like vessel size, impact on natural resources, and whether the boat is used for commercial passenger transport or as a liveaboard.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill mandates vessel inspections and fees based on natural resource impact, strengthening environmental protection for small boat harbors.75% confidence

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introduced · Hawaii · Senate May 29, 2026

GM 1163: Informing the Legislature that on May 29, 2026, the Governor signed the following bill into law: HB2395 HD2 SD1 CD1 (ACT 063).

This bill, known as Act 063, authorizes the Department of Land and Natural Resources to issue permits allowing the collection of marine deposits like sand, dead coral, and rocks for specific purposes such as research, education, and environmental management. Previously, existing laws prohibited taking these materials from state waters, but this legislation creates a legal pathway for their removal under controlled conditions. The law mandates that collected resources be returned to the beach whenever possible and requires that the activity poses no more than a minimal risk to the environment. Additionally, the bill expands existing exceptions to include taking materials for responding to public emergencies or disasters.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill creates a legal pathway for collecting marine deposits under controlled conditions for research, education, and environmental management, strengthening conservation efforts.75% confidence

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introduced · Hawaii · Senate May 21, 2026

GM 1124: Informing the Legislature that on May 21, 2026, the Governor signed the following bill into law: SB3125 SD1 HD1 CD2 (ACT 024).

This bill, signed into law on May 21, 2026, establishes income tax credits for individuals and businesses in Hawaii who install renewable energy systems. The primary mechanism provides a 35% tax credit for solar energy systems and a 20% credit for wind-powered systems, subject to specific cost caps that vary by property type and system size. To prevent large-scale commercial projects from receiving excessive credits, the law excludes systems with a capacity of five megawatts or more that require a new power purchase agreement approved after December 31, 2019. The bill also includes special provisions for solar systems integrated with pumped hydroelectric storage and allows multiple owners of a single system to share the credit based on their financial contribution.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill provides tax credits for renewable energy, offering tax relief and promoting fiscal incentives for green investments.85% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill establishes tax credits for renewable energy systems, directly promoting solar and wind adoption.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill provides tax credits for renewable energy systems, promoting clean energy and reducing emissions.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Income Tax Tax Credits Hydroelectric Renewable Energy Solar

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introduced · Hawaii · Senate May 26, 2026

GM 1138: Informing the Legislature that on May 26, 2026, the Governor signed the following bill into law: SB3154 SD2 HD2 CD1 (ACT 038).

This document is a formal notification from the Governor of Hawaii to the Legislature stating that Bill SB3154 was signed into law on May 26, 2026. The bill authorizes the Department of Transportation to take on federal environmental review responsibilities for transportation projects to streamline their development while keeping environmental safeguards in place. To comply with federal rules for this new role, the law also grants the state a limited waiver of sovereign immunity. Additionally, the bill transfers certain functions from other agencies to the Department of Transportation and expands its ability to acquire and manage property for climate and transportation purposes.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill strengthens environmental protection by authorizing the state to assume federal review responsibilities, ensuring environmental safeguards are maintained for transportation projects.75% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill streamlines transportation project development by allowing the DOT to handle federal environmental reviews, advancing infrastructure efficiency.90% confidence

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introduced · Hawaii · Senate May 26, 2026

GM 1134: Informing the Legislature that on May 26, 2026, the Governor signed the following bill into law: HB1737 HD3 SD2 CD1 (ACT 034).

This bill updates the definition of agricultural districts in Hawaii to include a wider range of activities and facilities. It explicitly adds wind energy, solar energy, biofuel production, and farm employee housing to the list of uses that qualify as agricultural. The law also clarifies rules for solar facilities on certain land types and allows for agricultural tourism and recreational facilities within these districts.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill explicitly expands agricultural districts to include wind, solar, and biofuel production, directly promoting renewable energy infrastructure.90% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill expands agricultural districts to include renewable energy projects like wind and solar, promoting clean energy and environmental conservation.85% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill explicitly adds farm employee housing to agricultural district definitions, protecting housing for agricultural workers.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Solar Wind Tags Agriculture

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passed · Hawaii · House Apr 1, 2026

HR 191: RECOGNIZING THE PUBLIC HEALTH IMPACTS OF AIR POLLUTION FROM INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE VEHICLES AND THE RISKS THAT TRAFFIC-RELATED AIR POLLUTION POSES TO COMMUNITIES ACROSS THE STATE AND AFFIRMING THE COMMITMENT TO TRANSITION TO CLEANER TRANSPORTATION CHOICES.

This House Resolution acknowledges the public health risks posed by air pollution from internal combustion engine vehicles, particularly in communities near busy roadways and among vulnerable populations like children and older adults. It highlights how traffic-related pollutants can affect both outdoor and indoor air quality, potentially contributing to respiratory issues, cardiovascular disease, and other health problems. The resolution affirms the state's commitment to transitioning toward cleaner transportation options and directs copies of the document to key state officials to inform future policy decisions.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill promotes transition to cleaner transportation and addresses air pollution from internal combustion engines, supporting renewable energy and clean energy infrastructure goals.85% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill acknowledges air pollution risks and affirms commitment to transitioning to cleaner transportation, indicating support for environmental protection.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill acknowledges public health risks from air pollution and affirms commitment to cleaner transportation, indirectly supporting public health initiatives.75% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill affirms commitment to transitioning toward cleaner transportation choices and addresses air pollution from vehicles, promoting sustainable transportation options.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Electric Vehicles Air Quality Recycling Public Health Electric Vehicles

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passed · Hawaii · House Apr 10, 2026

HCR 91: REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES AND DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO COLLABORATE TO ESTABLISH A FORMAL, LONG-TERM COLLABORATIVE PROGRAM TO EXPAND, EQUITABLY DISTRIBUTE, AND SUSTAIN TREE-CANOPY COVERAGE ACROSS PUBLIC SCHOOLS STATE WIDE.

This bill requests the Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources and the Department of Education to work together on a permanent program to increase tree coverage at public schools across the state. The initiative aims to address heat exposure and improve outdoor learning opportunities, with special attention to ensuring equitable tree distribution in lower-income and Title I schools that currently have less shade. The program would include long-term tree maintenance, strategic species selection, and the creation of dedicated staff positions to sustain the effort. It builds on existing pilot programs like Shade Trees for Schools and Fruit Trees for Schools, which have shown positive results but have been limited by short-term funding.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill establishes collaborative program to improve school infrastructure by increasing tree canopy coverage, addressing heat exposure and expanding outdoor learning opportunities in public schools.90% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill promotes tree canopy expansion at public schools to address heat exposure and improve environmental conditions, directly supporting environmental protection through conservation efforts.92% confidence

Sub-Topics School Funding

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introduced · Hawaii · Senate Mar 25, 2026

GM 6: Letter dated March 24, 2026, transmitting proposed changes to the FY 27 Executive Supplemental Budget for the operating and capital improvement program budget requests for various departments.

This bill proposes changes to the 2027 state budget for two departments: Land and Natural Resources and Agriculture and Biosecurity. It directs the legislature to approve additional funding for specific projects, including $3 million for land management activities like hazardous material cleanup and debris removal, and $28.8 million for improvements to the Wahiawa Dam. The legislation also adds $4 million for environmental testing and remediation work at Lake Wilson to address contamination and protect public health. These adjustments update the executive supplemental budget requests to reflect new financial needs for these state programs.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill directs legislature to approve additional funding for state departments, including $3M for land management and $28.8M for dam improvements, clearly advancing budget allocation for public services.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill allocates $3M for hazardous material cleanup and $4M for environmental testing/remediation at Lake Wilson, directly funding environmental protection and pollution control projects.90% confidence

Sub-Topics State Budget Hazardous Materials Public Lands

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passed both · Hawaii · Senate May 12, 2026

SCR 32: REQUESTING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A MARINE LIFE CONSERVATION DISTRICT CARRYING CAPACITY STUDY TASK FORCE TO DEVELOP A STATEWIDE IMPLEMENTATION PLAN.

This Senate Concurrent Resolution requests the creation of a task force to develop a statewide plan for studying how many people can use Hawaii's marine life conservation districts without harming the ecosystems. The task force will be made up of representatives from state agencies, county governments, universities, community groups, and commercial ocean recreation operators. Its main job is to design a framework for carrying capacity studies, prioritize which districts to study first, set standards for how studies are conducted, and identify the funding and staffing needed to implement the program. The task force must submit its findings and recommendations to the legislature by the end of 2026, which may include proposed legislation to officially establish the statewide program.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill creates task force to study marine conservation district carrying capacity, aiming to protect ecosystems from overuse and strengthen environmental conservation efforts.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation

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