Environment (Coastal & Flood Protection)

in committee · Hawaii · Senate Jan 26, 2026

SB 2207: RELATING TO BLUE CARBON.

SB 2207 requires the Office of Planning and Sustainable Development to create a Statewide Blue Carbon Strategy focused on coastal ecosystems (like mangroves and seagrasses) that store carbon. The bill mandates this office to develop the strategy and submit a report to the Legislature detailing its findings and recommendations. This bill directly affects state agencies responsible for environmental planning and coastal resource management by establishing a formal process for addressing blue carbon in policy. It does not create new regulations but sets a procedural framework for future state action on coastal carbon storage.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentMandates creation of Statewide Blue Carbon Strategy to protect carbon-storing coastal ecosystems (mangroves/seagrasses), directly advancing climate mitigation and environmental conservation.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Coastal & Flood Protection

Track

in committee · Hawaii · Senate Jan 28, 2026

SB 2483: RELATING TO THE ENVIRONMENT.

Establishes an executive committee and amends the membership and duties of the Hawaii Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Commission (Commission). Requires each member agency of the Commission to implement its own actions to address certain strategies and goals established by the Commission. Establishes reporting and review requirements for member agencies relating to climate change mitigation and adaptation efforts and clean economy targets. Updates reporting requirements for the Sea Level Rise Vulnerability and Adaptation reports. Allows the Commission to enter into certain procurement contracts. Updates the zero emissions clean economy target.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill establishes zero emissions clean economy targets and mandates agency actions for climate mitigation, directly advancing renewable energy infrastructure and clean economy goals.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentMandates climate mitigation/adaptation actions, clean economy targets, and reporting for member agencies to strengthen environmental protection efforts per bill's core requirements.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Climate Change Coastal & Flood Protection

Track

in committee · Hawaii · House Feb 10, 2026

HB 2245: RELATING TO THE ENVIRONMENT.

Beginning 7/1/2027, requires newly installed or modified individual wastewater systems that are near the shoreline or on highly porous soils to include denitrification capacity. Requires the Department of Health to reduce requirements for disposal systems connected to wastewater systems with denitrification capacity. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentMandates denitrification in wastewater systems near shorelines to reduce nitrogen pollution in nearshore waters, directly strengthening water quality protections.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Coastal & Flood Protection Water Quality

Track

in committee · Hawaii · Senate Jan 28, 2026

SB 2490: RELATING TO ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION.

SB 2490 prohibits the manufacture and sale of surfboard wax containing perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), which are environmentally persistent chemicals. It directly affects surfboard wax manufacturers and retailers within the state. The bill's key provision bans these specific chemicals in surfboard wax products, aiming to reduce environmental contamination. This policy change targets a common source of PFAS pollution in coastal areas without restricting other uses of the chemicals.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBans PFAS in surfboard wax to reduce coastal pollution, directly protecting environment from persistent chemicals per bill summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Coastal & Flood Protection Drinking Water Recycling

Track

in committee · Hawaii · Senate Jan 30, 2026

SB 2753: RELATING TO THE ENVIRONMENT.

Beginning 7/1/2027, requires newly installed or modified individual wastewater systems that are near the shoreline or on highly porous soils to include denitrification capacity. Requires the Department of Health to provide appropriate reductions in requirements to leach fields and wastewater systems with denitrification capacity.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentMandates denitrification in wastewater systems near shorelines to reduce nitrogen pollution, directly protecting nearshore waters and ecosystems.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Coastal & Flood Protection Recycling Water Quality

Track

in committee · Hawaii · House Feb 10, 2026

HB 1623: RELATING TO THE ENVIRONMENT.

Establishes an executive committee and amends the membership and duties of the Hawaii Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Commission (Commission). Requires each member agency of the Commission to implement its own actions to address certain strategies and goals established by the Commission. Establishes reporting and review requirements for member agencies relating to climate change mitigation and adaptation efforts and clean economy targets. Updates reporting requirements for the Sea Level Rise Vulnerability and Adaptation reports. Allows the Commission to enter into certain procurement contracts. Updates the zero emissions clean economy target. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill mandates agencies to implement actions toward 'Zero Emissions Clean Economy Target' and climate mitigation strategies, directly advancing renewable energy infrastructure and clean energy goals.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentMandates climate change mitigation/adaptation strategies, agency action requirements, and zero emissions clean economy targets, directly advancing environmental protection efforts.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Climate Change Coastal & Flood Protection

Track

in committee · Hawaii · Senate Jan 21, 2026

SB 471: RELATING TO THE ENVIRONMENT.

Requires newly installed or modified individual wastewater systems that are near the shoreline, or likely to pollute groundwater, to include denitrification capacity.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRequires denitrification in wastewater systems near shorelines/gw to prevent pollution, directly protecting water quality per bill summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Coastal & Flood Protection Recycling Water Quality

Track

in committee · Hawaii · House Dec 8, 2025

HB 314: 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. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRequires relocation from sea level rise zones, funds adaptation planning, directly advancing environmental protection against climate change impacts.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Climate Change Coastal & Flood Protection

Track

passed · Hawaii · Senate Feb 20, 2026

SB 3031: RELATING TO THE CONVEYANCE TAX.

Renames the Beach Restoration Special Fund as the Beach Preservation and Restoration Fund. Establishes the Special Subaccount of the Special Fund. Requires that all conveyance tax revenues collected from the conveyance or transfer of real property located in whole or in part in a sea level rise exposure area be deposited into the special subaccount of the Special Fund. Allows funds in the special subaccount of the Special Fund to be used to acquire property. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesRedirects conveyance tax revenue to Beach Restoration Special Fund, explicitly funding a state program via tax allocation.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill directs conveyance tax revenues to Beach Restoration Special Fund for coastal protection and property acquisition, explicitly aligning with Natural Resource Protection and Coastal Zone Management subjects.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Coastal & Flood Protection Conservation

Track

passed · Hawaii · House Feb 2, 2026

HB 1359: RELATING TO FLOOD MITIGATION.

Establishes a grant program for drainage system maintenance and flood mitigation measures in residential areas, to be administered by the Board of Land and Natural Resources. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentFunds drainage maintenance for flood mitigation via DLNR (natural resources agency), protecting ecosystems and preventing flood-related environmental damage.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Coastal & Flood Protection

Track