Environment

in committee · Hawaii · Senate Jan 30, 2026

SB 2769: RELATING TO LANDFILL UNITS.

Beginning 7/1/2026, prohibits the construction, modification, or expansion of a landfill unit, or any component of a landfill unit, within the no-pass zone in a county with a population greater than five hundred thousand, with certain exemptions.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentProhibits landfill construction/modification in high-population areas to prevent pollution and protect communities, aligning with environmental protection goals.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Waste Management

Track

passed · Hawaii · Senate Feb 17, 2026

SB 2785: RELATING TO ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.

Appropriates funds for Department of Hawaiian Home Lands projects eligible for general fund revenues that are generated by increases in transient accommodations tax collections and intended to be expended equally across projects related to natural resources, climate resilience, and destination management.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAppropriates tax revenue from transient accommodations to fund DHHL projects in natural resources, climate resilience, and destination management, directly advancing budget allocation and tax revenue utilization.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill allocates funds for projects focused on natural resources and climate resilience, directly advancing environmental protection through targeted funding.90% confidence

Sub-Topics State Budget

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in committee · Hawaii · House Feb 18, 2026

HB 1617: RELATING TO TAXATION.

Reestablishes the Agricultural Development and Food Security Special Fund. Renames the Environmental Response, Energy, and Food Security Tax, also known as the barrel tax, as the Environmental Response, Energy, Carbon Emissions, and Food Security Tax; gradually increases barrel tax rates; and allocates portions of barrel tax revenues to the Agricultural Development and Food Security Special Fund, Carbon Emissions Tax and Dividend Special Fund, Airport Revenue Fund, and Boating Special Fund. Establishes a refundable Carbon Cashback Tax Credit and appropriates funds to the Department of Taxation to administer the tax credit. Establishes the Carbon Emissions Tax and Dividend Special Fund to be used in the administration of the barrel tax and Carbon Cashback Tax Credit and for public awareness of the Carbon Cashback Tax Credit. Requires the Department of Taxation to submit reports to the Legislature. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill establishes new carbon tax with refundable credit for most taxpayers, increasing taxes while offsetting impacts, aligning with fiscal responsibility and funding environmental programs.90% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyImposes carbon emissions tax to reduce fossil fuel reliance, provides tax credit to offset costs, directly advances clean energy transition through emissions pricing.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentImposes carbon emissions tax with refundable credit to reduce emissions while offsetting taxpayer burden; establishes dedicated funds for environmental response and carbon management.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes State Budget Tax Credits Climate Change

Track

passed both · Hawaii · House Mar 30, 2026

HB 1926: RELATING TO RED HILL.

Appropriates funds for studies on remediation of substances released from the Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility; environmental monitoring and testing; research on groundwater modeling and sampling; and independent testing and verification of water data, to be published on a public dashboard. Requires the Department of Land and Natural Resources to seek reimbursement from the United States Department of Defense. Effective 11/20/2121. (SD1)

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentAllocates funds for Red Hill remediation, groundwater monitoring, and independent water testing to protect environmental health and ensure data transparency.95% confidence

Track

in committee · Hawaii · Senate Jan 30, 2026

SB 3030: RELATING TO CLIMATE RESILIENCE.

Establishes the Hawaii Climate Institute at the University of Hawaii. Transfers the functions of the International Pacific Research Center at the School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology at the University of Hawaii at Manoa to the Hawaii Climate Institute. Establishes positions. Appropriates funds.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentEstablishes Hawaii Climate Institute with funding to advance climate resilience, directly strengthening environmental protection efforts through research and policy development.95% confidence

Track

in committee · Hawaii · Senate Jan 30, 2026

SB 2984: RELATING TO LAND GRANTS.

Prohibits the acquisition of state land involving moneys from the Land Conservation Fund by a nonprofit organization without prior approval of the Legislature.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill regulates Land Conservation Fund usage to ensure proper management, aligning with conservation goals by requiring legislative oversight for nonprofit land acquisitions.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Public Lands

Track

passed · Hawaii · Senate Mar 12, 2026

SB 2975: RELATING TO MARINE LIFE CONSERVATION DISTRICTS.

Authorizes the Department of Land and Natural Resources to close all or portions of any marine life conservation district for various periods of time and to adopt rules for the regulation of commercial activity within a marine life conservation district; provided that the marine life conservation district is located on or adjacent to the shores of Oahu. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentAuthorizes closures and regulations to protect marine ecosystems, directly advancing conservation goals within marine life conservation districts.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation

Track

in committee · Hawaii · House Dec 8, 2025

HB 965: RELATING TO MICROPLASTICS.

HB 965 establishes a rebate program within the Department of Land and Natural Resources to help businesses and property owners offset costs for installing microplastic filtration systems. The program provides financial rebates for qualifying filtration technology, directly supporting entities that implement these systems to reduce microplastic pollution. Key provisions include administering the rebates through DLNR and setting criteria for eligible filtration equipment. The bill is currently in committee review for the 2026 legislative session.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill creates DLNR rebate program for microplastic filtration systems to reduce pollution, directly advancing environmental protection through funding and implementation of pollution control measures.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Recycling

Track

in committee · Hawaii · Senate Jan 28, 2026

SB 2586: RELATING TO STATE ENTERPRISE ZONES.

Increases the number of enterprise zones that may be nominated by each county. Amends the definition of "eligible business activity" to include recycling facilities and film production.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill explicitly adds recycling facilities to eligible business activities in enterprise zones, promoting environmental recycling initiatives through economic incentives.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Recycling Tags Economic Development

Track

in committee · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 685: RELATING TO TAXATION OF POLLUTION.

Amends the environmental response, energy, and food security tax to address carbon emissions. Incrementally increases the tax rate over time. Establishes a refundable tax credit to mitigate the effect of a carbon emissions tax on taxpayers. Reenacts the agricultural development and food security special fund. Requires reports to the Legislature.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesIncreases carbon tax with refundable credit to offset taxpayer burden, reenacts agricultural fund, aligning with tax relief and funding indicators.90% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill taxes carbon emissions to reduce fossil fuel reliance, promoting cleaner energy transition. Includes tax credit to protect consumers, directly addressing energy policy through carbon pricing mechanism.85% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentIncreases carbon tax to reduce emissions, establishes refundable credit for fairness. Directly targets environmental protection through taxation and reporting requirements.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Tax Credits Climate Change

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