Environment (Water Quality)

in committee · Hawaii · Senate Mar 19, 2026

SCR 141: REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH TO MAKE WATER QUALITY AND CONTAMINATION TESTING RESULTS FOR WAIMANALO GULCH PUBLICLY ACCESSIBLE.

This Senate Concurrent Resolution requests that the Hawaii Department of Health make water quality and contamination testing results from the Waimanalo Gulch Sanitary Landfill publicly accessible. The bill asks the Department of Health to post current and future testing data online in a timely, user-friendly format and to provide clear explanations of the contaminants tested and how to interpret the results. Additionally, it requires the Department of Health to submit an annual report to the Legislature summarizing testing findings and any actions taken in response, with copies sent to relevant agencies and stakeholders. This resolution aims to increase transparency regarding environmental monitoring at the landfill, which has a history of contamination incidents, without mandating new testing or imposing penalties.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill promotes transparency in water quality testing at a landfill, enabling public monitoring of environmental contamination and supporting pollution control efforts.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Waste Management Water Quality

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passed · Hawaii · House Apr 9, 2026

HR 170: URGING THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND BIOSECURITY TO EXPLORE AND PURSUE OPPORTUNITIES TO COLOCATE COMMUNITY-BASED RENEWABLE ENERGY GENERATING PROJECTS WITH AGRICULTURAL RESERVOIRS AND IRRIGATION WATER INFRASTRUCTURE.

This House Resolution asks the Hawaii Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity to explore placing renewable energy systems on existing agricultural reservoirs and irrigation infrastructure. The bill specifically encourages studying floating solar panels and gravity-powered water turbines that can generate electricity without disrupting water delivery or requiring new dams. It aims to help Hawaii meet its clean energy goals while providing benefits like reduced water evaporation, improved water quality, and local economic opportunities for farmers and communities. The resolution directs the department to collaborate with stakeholders and conduct feasibility studies for pilot projects that prioritize community-based ownership and benefits.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill explicitly promotes renewable energy by encouraging placement of solar panels and water turbines on agricultural reservoirs to help Hawaii meet clean energy goals.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill promotes renewable energy generation through floating solar and water turbines, reducing emissions and supporting clean energy goals while conserving water resources.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill promotes renewable energy technology (floating solar panels, water turbines) to advance clean energy goals, though primarily focused on agriculture infrastructure rather than digital technology.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Hydroelectric Renewable Energy Solar Water Quality

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in committee · Hawaii · Senate Jan 30, 2026

SB 3004: RELATING TO STATE WATER CODE PENALTIES.

Adds a minimum penalty and maximum penalty per violation of the State Water Code and authorizes the Commission on Water Resource Management to consider each day that a violation exists or continues to exist a separate offense. Establishes factors the CWRM must consider when determining the amount of the penalty. Increases maximum fines, for violations that cause harm, every five years from 2030 to 2045.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill increases penalties for water code violations, makes each day of violation a separate offense, and raises maximum fines for harm-causing violations, strengthening water resource protection enforcement.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Water Quality

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Mar 12, 2026

SB 2022: RELATING TO STATE WATER CODE PENALTIES.

Adds a minimum penalty and maximum penalty per violation of the State Water Code. Authorizes the Commission on Water Resource Management to consider each day that a violation exists or continues to exist a separate offense. Establishes factors the CWRM must consider when determining the amount of the penalty. Increases maximum fines every 5 years from 2031 to 2046. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentIncreases penalties for water code violations, strengthening enforcement of environmental regulations through stricter fines and daily violation accounting.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Water Quality

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passed · Hawaii · House Dec 8, 2025

HB 1233: RELATING TO STORMWATER MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS.

Requires the counties to adopt ordinances for the regulation of retention and detention ponds. Requires the counties to conduct a survey of existing retention and detention ponds and make a report to the Legislature. Appropriates funds as a grant-in-aid to the counties. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill explicitly appropriates state funds as a grant-in-aid to counties for stormwater management, directly addressing budget allocation and public infrastructure funding.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRequires county regulation of stormwater ponds to reduce pollution, funds implementation, aligns with environmental protection through pollution control.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Water Quality

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in committee · Hawaii · Senate Jan 21, 2026

SB 204: RELATING TO STATE WATER CODE PENALTIES.

Adds a minimum penalty and amends the maximum penalty per violation of the State Water Code, expands the types of potential violations of the State Water Code, and makes each day that a violation exists or continues to exist a separate offense. Requires the Commission on Water Resource Management to consider certain factors when imposing penalties. Makes the setting, charging, and collecting of administrative fines by the Commission on Water Resource Management mandatory, rather than discretionary.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentIncreases penalties for water code violations, mandates stricter enforcement, and strengthens regulatory compliance under State Water Code, advancing environmental protection.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Water Quality

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in committee · Hawaii · Senate Jan 21, 2026

SB 1239: RELATING TO WATER CONSERVATION.

SB 1239 prohibits using drinkable water (potable water) for irrigating golf courses, primarily affecting municipal golf courses that rely on public water systems. The bill includes limited exceptions for specific situations but does not detail them in the abstract. It also defines "potable water" to clarify which water sources are restricted. This policy aims to conserve municipal drinking water resources by requiring alternative water sources for irrigation.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentProhibits potable water use for golf course irrigation, mandating alternative sources to conserve municipal drinking water resources, directly advancing water conservation.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Drinking Water Water Quality

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in committee · Hawaii · Senate Jan 28, 2026

SB 2507: RELATING TO WATER POLLUTION.

SB 2507 appropriates general funds to the water pollution control revolving fund, creating additional low-interest loans for eligible water pollution projects. It directly affects local governments, utilities, and other entities seeking funding for wastewater treatment, stormwater management, or other pollution control infrastructure. The bill modifies the revolving fund's funding structure to expand access to these loans without requiring new tax revenue. This is a funding mechanism change, not a new regulatory requirement.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAppropriates general funds to expand water pollution loan access, funding public infrastructure via revolving fund without new tax revenue.90% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill creates low-interest loans for water pollution projects (wastewater/stormwater), directly funding pollution control infrastructure without new taxes, aligning with environmental protection indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Revenue Water Quality

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Feb 13, 2026

SB 2127: RELATING TO WATER POLLUTION.

Establishes a water pollution working group to establish liability standards for water pollution runoffs. Requires a report to the Legislature. Effective 1/30/2050. (SD1)

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentMandates liability for runoff pollution and prioritizes enforcement in rural water pollution hotspots, strengthening water pollution controls and protection of state waters.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Water Quality

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in committee · Hawaii · Senate Feb 3, 2026

SB 2971: RELATING TO WATER STANDARDS.

By 1/1/2040, requires all municipal wastewater treatment facilities owned by a State or county agency to meet state R-1 water standards. Requires the Department of Health to adopt five-year benchmarks to ensure compliance with state R-1 water standards. Requires the Legislature to appropriate sufficient funds. Appropriates funds.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill explicitly requires Legislature to appropriate funds for wastewater compliance and specifies funding allocation, directly advancing budgetary support for public infrastructure.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentMandates stricter wastewater standards (R-1) by 2040 with funding, directly strengthening water pollution controls and environmental protection.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Drinking Water Water Quality

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