Environment (Coastal & Flood Protection)

in committee · Hawaii · House Feb 12, 2026

HB 1846: RELATING TO REGIONAL SHORELINE MITIGATION DISTRICTS.

Authorizes the Office of Planning and Sustainable Development to approve the establishment of regional shoreline mitigation districts to facilitate regional coordination by shoreline property owners to address coastal erosion. Requires the preparation of a regional coastal erosion and sediment management plan for each regional shoreline mitigation district. Establishes procedures for the review of state and county permits associated with regional shoreline mitigation districts. Establishes the support and integration of regional coastline erosion and sediment management planning as a policy under the coastal zone management program. Appropriates moneys and establishes 1.0 FTE temporary position.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentAuthorizes regional districts to address coastal erosion via management plans, protecting shorelines and natural resources through coordinated mitigation efforts.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Coastal & Flood Protection

Track

passed · Hawaii · Senate Mar 12, 2026

SB 3033: RELATING TO COASTAL ZONE MANAGEMENT.

Allows public petition to the Department of Land and Natural Resources for review of the integrity of beach structures. Requires the Department to recommend the applicable county agency to order the owner of any beach structure determined to be imminently threatened to resolve, mitigate, and plan for the harmful effects of the beach structure. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRequires mitigation of harmful effects from beach structures to protect coastal integrity, aligning with environmental protection through coastal zone management.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Coastal & Flood Protection

Track

passed · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 588: RELATING TO RENEWABLE ENERGY.

Authorizes certain government entities to establish a self-certification process for behind-the-meter, customer-sited solar distributed energy resource systems and exempt the systems from the Federal Emergency Management Agency No-Rise/No-Impact declaration requirements under certain circumstances. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD2)

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyAuthorizes self-certification for solar systems, removing FEMA regulatory barriers to accelerate renewable energy deployment and reduce installation hurdles for customer-sited solar.85% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentPromotes renewable energy adoption by streamlining solar permitting and removing regulatory barriers for distributed energy systems, directly advancing clean energy infrastructure deployment.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Renewable Energy Solar Coastal & Flood Protection Tags Emergency Management

Track

passed · Hawaii · Senate Feb 20, 2026

SB 2547: RELATING TO THE COASTAL ZONE MANAGEMENT ACT.

Amends the definition of "development," as it pertains to coastal zone management, to exclude any state- or county-funded infrastructure improvement project that is exempted from an environmental assessment or determined as a finding of no significant impact under chapter 343, HRS. Applies only to zones established in Lahaina in the aftermath of the 2023 Maui wildfires that have been designated for reentry by the State or county of Maui as of January 1, 2026. Effective 7/1/2050. Sunsets 6/30/2029. (SD1)

Topics ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentExempts infrastructure projects from coastal development regulations, reducing oversight for potential environmental impacts in sensitive zones.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Coastal & Flood Protection

Track

passed · Hawaii · Senate Feb 20, 2026

SB 237: RELATING TO ADAPTATION PATHWAYS PLANNING.

Expands the authority of the State and counties to develop adaptation pathways plans to modify and relocate infrastructure away from critically threatened areas to locations outside sea level rise and coastal flooding exposure areas. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill funds relocation of infrastructure from sea level rise areas, directly addressing climate adaptation and protecting coastal communities from environmental threats.90% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationFunds relocation of transportation infrastructure from flood zones to protect systems, aligning with transportation safety and infrastructure protection.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Coastal & Flood Protection

Track

passed · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 738: RELATING TO WASTEWATER MANAGEMENT.

Requires a wastewater treatment works to test sewage sludge and any other residual material for the presence of PFAS. Requires the Department of Health to adopt administrative rules for the safe disposal and sequestration of sewage sludge and other residual material that contain specific amounts of PFAS. Prohibits the issuance or renewal of permits if testing yields PFAS in sewage sludge or other residual material on land used for agronomic purposes, on land where drainage tiles have been installed, on land that drains into waters of the State, or land in a five hundred-year floodplain. Effective 12/31/2050. (SD1)

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRequires PFAS testing in sewage sludge, prohibits land application with PFAS, and mandates safe disposal rules to prevent environmental contamination.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Coastal & Flood Protection Drinking Water

Track

in committee · Hawaii · Senate Jan 21, 2026

SB 723: RELATING TO SHORELINE SETBACKS.

SB 723 increases the minimum distance required between new construction and shorelines. This change directly affects property owners and developers planning projects near coastal or waterway areas. The bill raises the current setback standard, requiring new buildings to be built farther from the water’s edge, though specific distance numbers are not provided in the abstract. As of now, the bill is pending in the 2026 legislative session after being carried over from 2025.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentIncreases shoreline setback distances to protect coastal ecosystems and prevent erosion, strengthening environmental regulations per bill's intent.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Coastal & Flood Protection

Track

in committee · Hawaii · House Dec 8, 2025

HB 1245: RELATING TO ADAPTATION PATHWAYS PLANNING.

Expands the authority of the State and counties to develop adaptation pathways plans to modify and relocate infrastructure away from critically threatened areas to locations outside sea level rise and coastal flooding exposure areas. Appropriates funds.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentFunds adaptation planning to relocate infrastructure from sea level rise zones, directly protecting communities and ecosystems from climate impacts.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationFunds relocation of transportation infrastructure away from flood zones to enhance resilience and protect existing transportation systems from sea level rise impacts.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Coastal & Flood Protection

Track

passed both · Hawaii · Senate Mar 30, 2026

SB 3169: RELATING TO COASTAL RESILIENCE.

Establishes a five-year Coastal Resilience Pilot Program within the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism for the preservation of Mantokuji Bay. Allows the pilot program to be exempt from certain regulatory requirements. Requires the State Historic Preservation Division to conduct a streamlined historic preservation review. Establishes certain procedures for the discovery of Native Hawaiian skeletal remains. Requires annual reports to the Legislature. Sunsets 6/30/3005. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill establishes Coastal Resilience Pilot Program for Mantokuji Bay preservation, directly advancing environmental protection and conservation goals through dedicated funding and regulatory exemptions for the program.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Coastal & Flood Protection Conservation

Track

signed · Hawaii · Senate Jul 9, 2026

SB 2401: RELATING TO REGIONAL SHORELINE MITIGATION DISTRICTS.

Requires the Office of Planning and Sustainable Development to plan and serve in a coordinating role to develop shoreline adaptation pathways plans for regional shoreline mitigation districts designated by OPSD. Establishes procedures for the review of state and county permits associated with regional shoreline mitigation districts. (CD2)

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill creates regional districts to address coastal erosion via mandated management plans, directly protecting shorelines and mitigating environmental damage.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Coastal & Flood Protection