Environment

in committee · Hawaii · House Jan 28, 2026

HB 1932: PROPOSING AN AMENDMENT TO ARTICLE I OF THE HAWAII STATE CONSTITUTION TO RECOGNIZE AND PROTECT THE INHERENT AND INALIENABLE RIGHT OF ALL PEOPLE TO CLEAN WATER AND AIR, A HEALTHFUL ENVIRONMENT AND CLIMATE AND HEALTHY NATIVE ECOSYSTEMS AND BEACHES.

Proposes a constitutional amendment to ensure that the inherent and inalienable right of the people, including future generations, to clean water and air, a healthful environment and climate and healthy native ecosystems and beaches, shall be protected and shall not be infringed.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentConstitutional amendment explicitly protects clean water, air, ecosystems, and climate rights from infringement, advancing environmental protection per bill's core purpose.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Water Quality

Track

in committee · Hawaii · Senate Feb 11, 2026

SB 2606: RELATING TO WILDLIFE.

SB 2606 creates the Freshwater State Recreation Area Wildlife Sanctuary Corporation, a dedicated nonprofit entity to manage and operate the Freshwater State Recreation Area Wildlife Sanctuary. This bill establishes the corporation’s structure and purpose but does not alter existing wildlife laws or create new regulations. The corporation will handle day-to-day conservation, visitor services, and facility maintenance for the sanctuary, directly affecting its management and operations.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentCreates nonprofit for wildlife sanctuary conservation operations, directly advancing conservation without weakening existing protections.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Parks & Recreation Wildlife

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in committee · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 737: RELATED TO TOXIC CHEMICALS.

Establishes a temporary working group in the Office of the Governor to investigate the existence and environmental dangers of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances and related chemicals. Requires reports to the Legislature.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill creates working group to investigate PFAS environmental dangers and requires legislative reports, aiming to inform future protections against toxic chemicals.90% confidence

Track

passed both · Hawaii · House Mar 24, 2026

HB 1984: RELATING TO RENEWABLE ENERGY.

By 7/1/2027, requires government entities in the State that issue building permits to establish a self‑certification process for certain behind‑the‑meter, customer‑sited solar distributed energy resource systems that deems permit applications approved and allows applicants to proceed to build solar distributed energy resource systems immediately. Requires government entities in the State that issue building permits to develop guidance for determining specific conditions when a Federal Emergency Management Agency-mandated No-Rise Certification is not required for a solar distributed energy resource system located in a regulatory floodway. Effective 7/1/3000. (SD1)

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyStreamlines permitting for solar installations, removing barriers to renewable energy adoption through self-certification process for distributed energy systems.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentStreamlines solar permit process to accelerate renewable energy adoption, directly advancing clean energy goals without environmental restrictions.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Energy Resilience Renewable Energy Solar Recycling

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Feb 11, 2026

SB 2332: RELATING TO TAXATION.

Reestablishes the Agricultural Development and Food Security Special Fund. Establishes the Carbon Emissions Tax and Dividend Special Fund. Gradually increases the Environmental Response, Energy, Carbon Emissions, and Food Security tax rates and establishes a refundable carbon cashback tax credit to offset increases for most taxpayers. Requires reports to the Legislature. Appropriates funds.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesReestablishes tax funds, increases rates with refundable carbon cashback credit to offset most taxpayers' burden, funds environmental/agricultural programs via appropriations.90% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill imposes carbon emissions tax with refundable credit to reduce fossil fuel dependence, advancing renewable energy transition through fiscal policy.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill establishes Carbon Emissions Tax and Dividend Special Fund to reduce emissions, with refundable tax credit for taxpayers and Environmental Response appropriations.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Tax Credits Climate Change

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in committee · Hawaii · Senate Jan 28, 2026

SB 2484: RELATING TO THE HAWAII CLIMATE INSTITUTE.

Establishes the Hawaii Climate Institute at the University of Hawaii to support climate resilience and adaptation initiatives of the University and the State. Requires six per cent of the revenue generated by any increase to the Transient Accommodations Tax rates beginning on January 1, 2026, and by assessment of the Transient Accommodations Tax on gross rental proceeds derived from cruise fares to be allocated to the University of Hawaii annually to support the programs and operations of the Hawaii Climate Institute. Transfers the International Pacific Research Center of the University of Hawaii at Manoa's School of Ocean and Earth Sciences and Technology to the Hawaii Climate Institute. Appropriates funds.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates 6% of Transient Accommodations Tax revenue to fund Hawaii Climate Institute programs, directly supporting state budget allocation for climate initiatives.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill allocates 6% of Transient Accommodations Tax revenue to University of Hawaii programs, directly funding higher education initiatives under the Hawaii Climate Institute.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentEstablishes Hawaii Climate Institute funded by tourism tax to support climate resilience and adaptation initiatives, directly advancing environmental protection and climate action.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Testing & Assessment

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in committee · Hawaii · Senate Jan 21, 2026

SB 20: RELATING TO THE GREEN JOBS YOUTH CORPS.

SB 20 provides funding to continue the Green Jobs Youth Corps program, administered by the Department of Land and Natural Resources. This bill directly affects young participants in the program, who gain work experience in environmental conservation and sustainability projects. The key mechanism is allocating state funds to maintain the program's operations, including job training and fieldwork opportunities for youth. The bill does not create new policies but ensures ongoing support for an existing initiative focused on environmental stewardship and youth employment.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill allocates state funds (Appropriations $) to continue Green Jobs Youth Corps program, directly funding a public service program as described in subjects and summary.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentFunds Green Jobs Youth Corps program providing environmental conservation training for youth, directly supporting environmental protection through sustained funding.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentFunds job training and work experience for youth in environmental conservation, advancing employment opportunities and workforce development.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Child Labor Workforce Development

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in committee · Hawaii · House Dec 8, 2025

HB 318: RELATING TO CONSERVATION BANKING.

HB 318 authorizes Hawaii's Department of Land and Natural Resources to operate and approve conservation banks, which are protected land reserves where developers can purchase credits to offset environmental impacts from construction projects. The bill establishes a state-managed system for creating and verifying these conservation areas, directly affecting landowners who might establish banks and developers who need to comply with environmental mitigation requirements. Key provisions require the department to set standards for bank approval, monitor conservation outcomes, and ensure credits accurately represent habitat protection. This policy change would formalize the state's role in overseeing conservation banking as a tool for balancing development with habitat preservation. The bill is currently pending in the 2026 legislative session.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill mandates developers to purchase credits from state-approved conservation banks to offset environmental impacts, creating a structured system for land preservation and mitigation, directly advancing conservation goals.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation

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in committee · Hawaii · House Dec 8, 2025

HB 1491: RELATING TO EDUCATION.

Requires the Department of Education to develop and implement a climate education, environmental sustainability, and indigenous knowledge into the K-12 curriculum and climate education and environmental sustainability teacher training and professional development programs. Requires the University of Hawaii to develop and implement a series of courses on climate education and environmental sustainability, to be completed by every student prior to the student's graduation, and establish sustainability practices across all university campuses to promote sustainability. Requires the Department of Education and University of Hawaii to conduct annual sustainability audits across their respective campuses to assess the progress of each campus in integrating sustainability into their curriculum and operations.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates integration of climate education, sustainability, and indigenous knowledge into K-12 curriculum and university courses, enhancing educational content and teacher training programs.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentMandates climate and sustainability education in K-12 and university curricula, advancing environmental awareness and education through required coursework.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Curriculum Higher Education K-12 Education

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in committee · Hawaii · Senate Jan 21, 2026

SB 1561: RELATING TO VEGETATION MANAGEMENT.

Establishes vegetation management requirements to prevent wildfires caused by electric utilities. Requires the Department of Land and Natural Resources to enforce the provisions.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill mandates vegetation management to prevent utility-caused wildfires, protecting natural resources and ecosystems from destruction.95% confidence

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