Environment

passed both · Hawaii · Senate Apr 23, 2026

SB 2363: RELATING TO THE COUNTIES.

Authorizes the counties to close or restrict public lands under the county's jurisdiction when necessary to protect public health, ensure public safety, or preserve natural or cultural resources. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill authorizes county closures to preserve natural resources, directly aligning with conservation and environmental protection goals.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Parks & Recreation Public Lands Tags Public Safety

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in committee · Hawaii · House Jan 28, 2026

HB 1933: RELATING TO THE COUNTIES.

Authorizes the counties to close public lands when necessary to protect public health, ensure public safety, or preserve natural or cultural resources.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentAuthorizes county closures to preserve natural resources, directly aligning with environmental conservation and protection.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Parks & Recreation Public Lands

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 202: RELATING TO RENEWABLE ENERGY.

SB 202 requires electric utilities to pay customer-generators (like homeowners with solar panels) for excess electricity they send back to the grid, replacing previous credit systems. This directly affects residential and commercial customers who generate their own renewable energy. The bill mandates that utilities compensate these customers for surplus power at a specific rate, ensuring fair payment for contributions to the grid. It passed committee with amendments in February 2025 and aims to support distributed renewable energy adoption.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyMandates fair compensation for renewable energy producers (solar) sending excess power to grid, directly advancing distributed renewable energy integration.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentSB 202 directly promotes renewable energy adoption by mandating fair compensation for solar power fed to the grid, advancing clean energy use and reducing fossil fuel dependence.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Renewable Energy Solar

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in committee · Hawaii · Senate Jan 22, 2026

SB 2142: RELATING TO ENERGY EFFICIENCY.

Requires each state agency to expeditiously use energy efficient lighting. Requires the Hawaii State Energy Office to provide technical assistance and survey state agencies for compliance, prioritizing first responder facilities. Requires the Department of Accounting and General Services to assist the Hawaii State Energy Office in conducting the survey. Requires a report of the survey to the Legislature.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyMandates energy-efficient lighting across state agencies, prioritizes first responders, and requires compliance surveys/reporting - directly advancing energy efficiency standards.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentMandates energy-efficient lighting for state agencies, reducing energy consumption and aligning with environmental protection goals through conservation and efficiency measures.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Energy Efficiency

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in committee · Hawaii · Senate Jan 26, 2026

SB 2257: RELATING TO VEGETATIVE BURNING.

Prohibits the Department of Health from issuing permits for commercial burning of green waste products in residential areas or within one thousand feet of a residential property.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentProhibits commercial vegetative burning near homes, reducing air pollution and protecting residential areas from emissions.95% confidence

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in committee · Hawaii · House Feb 4, 2026

HB 1989: RELATING TO WATER RETENTION.

Directs the University of Hawaiʻi School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology to conduct a study that identifies, analyzes, and evaluates possible methods to capture, retain, and store rainwater and storm water runoff for counties with a population of more than five hundred thousand. Requires an annual report to the Legislature. Appropriates funds.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentFunds study on rainwater/stormwater retention to conserve water resources and reduce runoff pollution, aligning with environmental conservation goals.85% confidence

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passed · Hawaii · House Feb 2, 2026

HB 661: RELATING TO ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW.

Permits, under certain circumstances, a previously permitted or authorized activity challenged as being subject to environmental review to continue while the applicable agency or applicant conducts an environmental assessment, prepares an environmental impact statement, or determines whether the activity is exempt. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Topics ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentAllows permitted activities to continue during environmental review, potentially delaying or reducing regulatory scrutiny, indicating weakened environmental protections.85% confidence

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in committee · Hawaii · House Dec 8, 2025

HB 785: RELATING TO ENERGY-EFFICIENCY PORTFOLIO STANDARDS.

Extends the State's energy-efficiency portfolio standards from 2030 to 2045 and updates the standards. Authorizes the public utilities commission to adjust the 2045 and interim standards.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyExtends energy-efficiency standards to 2045 and authorizes updates, directly advancing efficiency goals and reducing energy waste per the bill's language.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentExtends energy-efficiency standards to 2045 with updated targets, requiring reduced energy consumption and emissions, directly advancing environmental protection goals.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Energy Efficiency

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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

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in committee · Hawaii · House Dec 8, 2025

HB 1228: RELATING TO SOLID WASTE.

Prohibits the construction, modification, or expansion of waste or disposal facilities that are near or above a significant aquifer. Allows counties to apply for exemptions to state siting standards if they meet certain criteria.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentProhibits waste facilities near significant aquifers to prevent contamination, directly protecting water resources and aligning with environmental protection indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Waste Management

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