Environment

passed · Hawaii · House Feb 20, 2026

HB 1579: RELATING TO LIGHT POLLUTION.

HB 1579 establishes statewide requirements for outdoor lighting fixtures, effective July 1, 2027. The bill directly affects property owners, businesses, and municipalities that install or maintain outdoor lighting across the state. Key provisions mandate specific standards for fixture design, brightness, and direction to reduce unnecessary light emissions. These changes aim to address light pollution by requiring compliant fixtures for all new installations and replacements after the effective date.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill mandates reduced light emissions via fixture standards, directly addressing light pollution control under environmental protection policies.95% confidence

Track

in committee · Hawaii · House Dec 8, 2025

HB 1023: RELATING TO RENEWABLE PORTFOLIO STANDARDS.

Modifies and improves the effectiveness of the renewable portfolio standards law, which stipulates the central role of Hawaii's electric utility companies in complying with the State's renewable energy and climate goals to address emerging trends.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill modifies and improves renewable portfolio standards, strengthening utility compliance with Hawaii's renewable energy goals and climate objectives.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentModifies renewable portfolio standards to strengthen Hawaii's climate goals and utility compliance, directly promoting clean energy adoption per bill summary.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Renewable Energy

Track

in committee · Hawaii · Senate Jan 26, 2026

SB 2229: RELATING TO AIR POLLUTION.

Allows air pollutants collected by a complainant or Department of Health's Clean Air Branch master to be used as evidence to initiate complaints on air pollution; in hearings in connection with air pollution; and in legal proceedings in the name of the State for the prevention, control, or abatement of air pollution.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentEnables use of evidence in legal actions to prevent, control, and abate air pollution, strengthening enforcement of air quality regulations.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Air Quality

Track

passed · Hawaii · Senate Feb 20, 2026

SB 2488: RELATING TO THE HAWAII INVASIVE SPECIES COUNCIL.

Establishes the position of the Hawaii Invasive Species Council Executive Director. Appropriates funds to the Department of Land and Natural Resources, rather than the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity, for the HISC for fiscal year 2026-2027. Requires a report to the Legislature. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill appropriates funds to DLNR for HISC, explicitly allocating budget resources for a specific program. This funds a program, aligning with 'funds essential programs' under Budget & Taxes.90% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill appropriates funds to DLNR for Hawaii Invasive Species Council (HISC) to manage invasive species, directly protecting native ecosystems and conservation efforts.95% confidence

Track

in committee · Hawaii · Senate Jan 21, 2026

SB 810: RELATING TO TAXATION OF AVIATION FUEL.

Imposes a state carbon emissions tax of $6.25 per ton of carbon dioxide equivalent emissions on all aviation fuel. Directs the aviation fuel tax into the airport revenue fund. Implements a tax credit to mitigate the effects of this tax on lower income taxpayers. Applies to taxable years beginning after 12/31/24.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesImposes carbon tax on aviation fuel funding airport revenue fund while providing tax credit for lower-income taxpayers, aligning with fiscal responsibility and funding public infrastructure.90% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentImposes carbon tax on aviation fuel to reduce emissions, directing revenue to airport fund with tax credit for low-income taxpayers.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Tax Credits Climate Change

Track

passed · Hawaii · Senate Feb 19, 2026

SB 2434: RELATING TO ELECTRIC VEHICLE INFRASTRUCTURE.

Excludes from the definition of "development", as it applies to special management areas, the installation, maintenance, repair, and replacement of an electric vehicle charging system as a minor structure. Includes the Public Utilities Commission in the development and implementation of plans to meet the long-term goals for zero-emissions transportation in the State. (SD1)

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill explicitly promotes EV infrastructure development and includes PUC in achieving zero-emission transportation goals, advancing clean energy infrastructure and reducing fossil fuel dependence.90% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentExcludes EV charging infrastructure from development restrictions in special areas and mandates PUC plans for zero-emission transportation goals, directly advancing pollution reduction and clean energy adoption.92% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationExcludes EV charging systems from development restrictions and mandates PUC planning for zero-emission goals, advancing sustainable transportation infrastructure.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Electric Vehicles Electric Vehicles

Track

in committee · Hawaii · House Jan 28, 2026

HB 1988: RELATING TO ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION.

HB 1988 prohibits the commercial harvesting of aquatic life (such as fish and marine organisms) for use in the aquarium trade, regardless of the collection method. This bill directly affects businesses and suppliers in the commercial aquarium industry that rely on harvesting live aquatic species. The key provision bans all forms of harvesting for this specific purpose, with no exceptions outlined in the abstract. It represents a direct environmental protection measure targeting a specific commercial practice. The bill is currently in early committee review stages.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBans commercial harvesting of aquatic life for aquarium trade, directly protecting marine ecosystems and conserving natural resources per bill's environmental protection intent.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Recycling Wildlife

Track

signed · Hawaii · House Jul 9, 2026

HB 1802: RELATING TO CONSERVATION MITIGATION BANKS.

Authorizes the Department of Land and Natural Resources and certain public or private entities to seek the approval of the Board of Land and Natural Resources to operate conservation banks for situations where a person or entity is required to provide compensatory mitigation to offset adverse impacts to threatened, endangered, candidate, or proposed species as part of an approved incidental take license and habitat conservation plan. Adds the associate director of the United States Geological Survey, Ecosystem Mission Area, to the membership of the Endangered Species Recovery Committee. Requires the Endangered Species Recovery Committee to review applications and proposals for conservation banks and conservation bank instruments conduct subsequent reviews and oversight. (CD1)

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentAuthorizes DLNR to establish conservation mitigation banks for habitat restoration/preservation, directly advancing environmental protection through compensatory mitigation for ecological damages.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Wildlife

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

passed · Hawaii · House Mar 10, 2026

HB 1925: RELATING TO CLIMATE EDUCATION.

Authorizes the Department of Education to establish a climate literacy certificate program to provide students with an advanced understanding of climate change through academic coursework and hands-on learning. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates climate literacy certificate program enhancing curriculum and student learning within education system, advancing educational access and curriculum development.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill mandates climate literacy education program to advance student understanding of climate change, directly promoting environmental awareness and education as per topic indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Climate Change

Track