Environment (Coastal & Flood Protection)

signed · Hawaii · House Jun 4, 2026

HB 1823: RELATING TO THE COASTAL ZONE MANAGEMENT ACT.

Applies a definition of "development" to special management areas within counties with a population between one hundred fifty thousand and two hundred thousand to exempt from special management area use permit requirements all activities that are not included within the definition, including certain federal-, state-, or county-funded, authorized, or implemented infrastructure and improvement projects that are exempt from an environmental assessment or for which a finding of no significant impact has been issued. Sunsets 6/30/2030. (CD2)

Topics ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentExempts infrastructure projects from permitting requirements, reducing regulatory oversight for coastal development activities.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Coastal & Flood Protection

in committee · Hawaii · House Dec 8, 2025

HB 1181: RELATING TO COASTAL ZONE MANAGEMENT.

Excludes from the definition of "development" used for purposes of coastal zone management the reconstruction of certain structures that were damaged or destroyed in a disaster proclaimed to be a state of emergency or local state of emergency, under certain conditions. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentExcludes disaster-reconstruction from 'development' definition, weakening coastal management regulations by removing oversight for rebuilding in sensitive areas.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Coastal & Flood Protection Natural Disasters

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passed both · Hawaii · Senate Apr 27, 2026

SB 3053: RELATING TO NATURAL RESOURCES.

Appropriates moneys to the Department of Health for the development and implementation of the Comprehensive Watershed-based Water Quality Monitoring Pilot Program for the Waikele Watershed. Requires report to the Legislature. Appropriates moneys to the Division of Aquatic Resources of the Department of Land and Natural Resources for mangrove removal and shoreline and stream maintenance in the Nineteenth Senatorial District and nearby areas, including the West Loch and Middle Loch shorelines. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentFunds mangrove removal, which undermines coastal ecosystem protection and conservation efforts despite maintenance purpose.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Coastal & Flood Protection Water Quality

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in committee · Hawaii · Senate Feb 18, 2026

SB 3034: RELATING TO COASTAL ZONE MANAGEMENT.

Requires the Department of Land and Natural Resources, by 7/1/2028, to establish the Hawaii Coastal Resilience Acquisition and Leaseback Program. Establishes the Coastal Resilience Revolving Fund. Clarifies the calculation of acquisition price for coastal properties, the conditions of leasebacks, and the limitation to liability assumed by the Department of Land and Natural Resources under the Hawaii Coastal Resilience Acquisition and Leaseback Program.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentEstablishes Coastal Resilience Program to protect vulnerable coastal properties through acquisition/leaseback, enhancing environmental resilience against climate impacts.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Coastal & Flood Protection

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in committee · Hawaii · Senate Feb 8, 2026

SB 2186: RELATING TO BLUE CARBON.

SB 2186 requires the state Office of Planning and Sustainable Development to create a statewide strategy for managing coastal ecosystems (like mangroves and seagrass) that absorb and store carbon - known as "blue carbon." This strategy must be developed and reported to the legislature, directly affecting the state agency responsible for planning and sustainability. The bill establishes a concrete mechanism for the state to formally address coastal carbon storage through a structured plan and legislative reporting. It does not change existing laws but mandates a new planning process focused on environmental management.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRequires statewide strategy for coastal ecosystems (mangroves/seagrass) that absorb carbon, establishing formal mechanism to manage blue carbon storage for environmental protection.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Climate Change Coastal & Flood Protection Conservation

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passed · Hawaii · House Dec 8, 2025

HB 379: RELATING TO THE ENVIRONMENT.

Requires newly installed or modified individual wastewater systems that are near the shoreline to include denitrification capacity. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRequires denitrification in shoreline wastewater systems to reduce nitrogen pollution, directly strengthening nearshore water protection per environmental indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Coastal & Flood Protection

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in committee · Hawaii · House Feb 12, 2026

HB 2205: RELATING TO EMERGENCY EROSION MITIGATION.

Replaces the current statutory prohibition on private shoreline hardening with a policy directing the minimization of these structures. Establishes a clear, time-limited statutory framework for emergency permits within the conservation district, including defined standards for permit duration and extension.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill minimizes shoreline hardening structures, promoting natural erosion control and coastal ecosystem protection.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Coastal & Flood Protection Conservation Water Quality

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signed · Hawaii · House May 29, 2026

HB 2395: RELATING TO THE TAKING OF MARINE DEPOSITS.

Authorizes the Department of Land and Natural Resources to issue permits for research, education, management, or propagation purposes that include the taking of marine deposits seaward of the shoreline, as long as the resources will be returned to the beach if possible and that the taking poses no more than a minimal or negligible risk to the environment. (CD1)

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRequires returning marine deposits and posing no environmental risk, ensuring protection of coastal resources through permit conditions.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Coastal & Flood Protection

in committee · Hawaii · Senate Jan 21, 2026

SB 1598: RELATING TO ADAPTATION PATHWAYS PLANNING.

Requires the Hawaii Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Commission to develop adaptation pathways plans to modify and relocate development and associated infrastructure away from critically vulnerable areas to locations outside of sea level rise and coastal flooding exposure area. Appropriates funds.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentMandates climate adaptation planning for sea-level rise vulnerable areas with funding, directly protecting coastal environments and infrastructure from climate impacts.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Climate Change Coastal & Flood Protection

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 1267: RELATING TO CLIMATE CHANGE.

Transfers the Hawaii Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Commission from the Department of Land and Natural Resources to the Office of Planning and Sustainable Development for administrative purposes. Removes the manager of the Coastal Zone Management Program from the Commission. Adds a representative from the University of Hawaii to the Commission. Effective 1/1/2050. (SD1)

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentTransfers climate commission to sustainable development office, adds UH rep, enhancing climate policy coordination without weakening protections.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Climate Change Coastal & Flood Protection

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