Environment (Forestry)

in committee · Hawaii · Senate Jan 21, 2026

SB 1573: RELATING TO THE TRANSFER OF NON-AGRICULTURAL PARK LANDS.

Requires the Department of Agriculture to accept the transfer of and manage certain qualifying non-agricultural park lands. Allows the Department of Agriculture to request information related to easements prior to any transfer of certain qualifying non-agricultural park lands. Requires approval from the Board of Land and Natural Resources and the Board of Agriculture before removing pasture lands for reforestation, or other public purposes.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill manages non-agricultural park lands for conservation and requires board approval before land use changes like reforestation, supporting environmental protection through structured land management.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Forestry Parks & Recreation Public Lands

Track

in committee · Hawaii · Senate Feb 19, 2026

SB 2237: RELATING TO FIRE PREVENTION.

Requires each state agency to create and regularly update a wildfire hazard map. Requires the Department of Land and Natural Resources to adopt rules. Specifies that the Department of Land and Natural Resources shall clear brush present on state lands for more than sixty days through the Community Fuels Reduction Project. Requires the Department of Land and Natural Resources to remove certain brush from high- and medium-risk wildfire areas on state lands. Requires reports to the Legislature.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRequires vegetation management to prevent wildfires, protecting natural resources and reducing fire damage to ecosystems through brush clearance on state lands.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Forestry

Track

in committee · Hawaii · Senate Jan 21, 2026

SB 1164: RELATING TO ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP FEES.

Establishes the Environmental Stewardship Fee Program within the Department of Land and Natural Resources, through which the DLNR shall, after 7/1/27, collect a fee from visitors for a license to visit a state park, forest, hiking trail, or other state natural area. Establishes the Environmental Stewardship Fee Special Fund. Requires a report to the Legislature. Appropriates funds.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates new fee revenue stream and appropriates funds for Environmental Stewardship Program, directly advancing fiscal management of state natural areas.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentCreates fee-based funding for environmental stewardship programs, directly supporting conservation through dedicated revenue stream for state natural areas.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Fees & Licensing Forestry Parks & Recreation

Track

passed · Hawaii · Senate Feb 20, 2026

SB 2019: RELATING TO THE TRANSFER OF NON-AGRICULTURAL PARK LANDS.

Requires the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity to accept the transfer of and manage certain qualifying non-agricultural park lands. Authorizes the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity to request information related to easements prior to any transfer of certain qualifying non-agricultural park lands. Requires the Department of Land and Natural Resources to obtain approval from the Board of Land and Natural Resources and Board of Agriculture and Biosecurity before pasture lands are removed for reforestation or other public purposes. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill manages non-agricultural park lands requiring action plans to prevent removal of pasture lands, supporting conservation of protected natural areas.80% confidence

Sub-Topics Forestry Parks & Recreation

Track

in committee · Hawaii · Senate Jan 21, 2026

SB 673: RELATING TO ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP FEES.

Effective 7/1/2027, establishes the Environmental Stewardship Fee Program within the Department of Land and Natural Resources, through which the Department will collect a fee from visitors for a license to visit a state park, forest, hiking trail, or other state natural area. Establishes the Environmental Stewardship Fee Special Fund effective 7/1/2025. Allocates a certain amount of transient accommodations tax revenues to the special fund. Requires report to the Legislature on strategic plan and timetable for objectives and implementation of the environmental stewardship fee program. Appropriates funds for the environmental stewardship fee strategic plan and positions for the Environmental Stewardship Fee Program.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill creates Environmental Stewardship Fee Program and allocates transient accommodations tax to fund environmental stewardship, directly advancing fiscal management and budget allocation for a program.90% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentEstablishes Environmental Stewardship Fee Program and Special Fund to collect fees from visitors to state natural areas, directly funding conservation efforts through dedicated revenue allocation.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Forestry Parks & Recreation

Track

in committee · Hawaii · House Dec 8, 2025

HB 752: RELATING TO ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP FEES.

Effective 7/1/2027, establishes the Environmental Stewardship Fee Program within the Department of Land and Natural Resources, through which the Department will collect a fee from visitors for a license to visit a state park, forest, hiking trail, or other state natural area. Establishes the Environmental Stewardship Fee Special Fund effective 7/1/2025. Allocates a certain amount of transient accommodations tax revenues to the special fund. Requires report to the Legislature on strategic plan and timetable for objectives and implementation of the environmental stewardship fee program. Appropriates funds for the environmental stewardship fee strategic plan and positions for the Environmental Stewardship Fee Program.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates new visitor fee revenue and allocates transient tax revenues to environmental stewardship fund, directly funding public program through dedicated budget mechanism.90% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentCreates Environmental Stewardship Fee Program and Special Fund to directly fund conservation of natural areas through visitor fees and tax allocations.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Forestry Parks & Recreation

Track

passed · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 565: RELATING TO POLOLU VALLEY MANAGEMENT EFFORTS ON HAWAII ISLAND.

Appropriates moneys for Pololu Valley management, including for the Division of Forestry and Wildlife of the Department of Land and Natural Resources to develop the trailhead; develop the infrastructure necessary to accommodate parking; install appropriate informational, historical, and educational signage; design and construct restroom facilities; and establish positions to manage the trail area. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentFunds Pololu Valley management infrastructure under DLNR/DOFAW, directly supporting conservation and natural resource protection efforts per bill's purpose.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Forestry Parks & Recreation Wildlife

Track

passed · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 11: RELATING TO VEGETATION MANAGEMENT NEAR UTILITY LINES.

Requires the Department of Land and Natural Resources to create and annually update a wildfire hazard map. Requires private and public property owners to trim grasses within certain proximities of public rights of way and utility lines, enforced by the State Fire Marshal as to State-owned land and the applicable county fire department as to privately owned land. Authorizes electric utility companies to enter private or public property to trim or remove hazardous vegetation. Appropriates funds. Effective 6/1/2050. (SD2)

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill mandates vegetation management near utility lines to reduce wildfire risks, protecting natural resources and ecosystems through hazard mapping and property owner obligations.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Forestry

Track