Environment

in committee · Hawaii · Senate Jan 30, 2026

SB 2988: RELATING TO HABITAT CONSERVATION PLANS.

Requires any operator of a golf course in the State to consult with the Department of Land and Natural Resources to apply for an incidental take license and enter into a habitat conservation plan. Requires any existing habitat conservation plan that does not include an agreement for emergency medical and rehabilitation services to affected native wildlife to be amended to include the agreement, and the amended rights and obligations under the habitat conservation plan to be recorded by a certain deadline.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentMandates habitat conservation plans for golf courses and requires wildlife rehabilitation agreements, strengthening habitat protection and conservation requirements.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Wildlife

Track

passed · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 446: RELATING TO WASTE MANAGEMENT.

Beginning 7/1/2025, prohibits the construction, modification, or expansion of a landfill unit or any component of a landfill unit mauka of the underground injection control line without first establishing a buffer zone of not less than one-quarter mile around the landfill unit. Prohibits the utilization of fly ash, bottom ash, or a combination of fly and bottom ash from a municipal waste combustor, including any ash residue that remains after removal of metals for recycling into new metal products, for the purposes of road building, construction, or as alternative daily cover material on a landfill. Effective 12/31/2050. (SD2)

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentProhibits landfill expansion near aquifers and bans ash use, preventing pollution and protecting water resources per environmental protection focus.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Recycling Waste Management

Track

in committee · Hawaii · House Dec 8, 2025

HB 1375: 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 & TaxesAmends pollution tax with incremental rate increase and refundable credit to offset burden, reenacts agricultural fund for fiscal responsibility.95% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyCarbon emissions tax directly incentivizes cleaner energy adoption and reduces fossil fuel dependence per bill's focus on addressing carbon emissions.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentImposes incremental carbon tax to reduce emissions, with tax credit to offset burden. Directly targets environmental protection through pricing mechanism.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Tax Credits Climate Change

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in committee · Hawaii · House Dec 8, 2025

HB 1366: RELATING TO A CLIMATE ADAPTATION AND RESILIENCE IMPLEMENTATION PLAN.

Requires the Office of Planning and Sustainable Development to develop and publish a Hawaii climate adaptation and resilience implementation plan and updates to the plan every five years thereafter. Appropriates funds.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentMandates climate adaptation plan with funding, directly advancing environmental resilience and protection per bill's requirements.95% confidence

Track

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 Mar 5, 2026

SB 3296: RELATING TO AGRICULTURE.

Establishes the Conservation and Agriculture Environmental Stewardship Pilot Program within the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity. Requires a report to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. Repeals 6/30/28. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAppropriates funds for a Conservation and Agriculture program, directly advancing state budget allocation for a specific initiative under fiscal management.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentEstablishes Conservation and Agriculture Environmental Stewardship Pilot Program with funding, advancing environmental protection and resource conservation in agriculture.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation

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in committee · Hawaii · House Jan 28, 2026

HB 2018: RELATING TO CONSERVATION ENFORCEMENT.

Appropriates funds for the purchase of equipment for the Hawaii Island Branch of the Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement of the Department of Land and Natural Resources.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentFunds equipment for DOCARE conservation enforcement, directly advancing environmental protection through resource enforcement and conservation management.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 617: RELATING TO THE ENVIRONMENT.

SB 617 requires state agencies to hold a public hearing in any community directly affected by a proposed project before finalizing its draft environmental impact statement. This applies to projects like construction, land development, or infrastructure that would impact local neighborhoods, businesses, or natural areas. The bill mandates these hearings to ensure affected residents and stakeholders can voice concerns directly to decision-makers during the early review phase. It does not change environmental standards but adds a community input step to the existing review process.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentMandates public hearings for environmental impact reviews, enhancing community input on projects affecting natural areas and neighborhoods.90% confidence

Track

in committee · Hawaii · House Feb 6, 2026

HB 1689: RELATING TO CLIMATE CHANGE.

Part I: Extends the Zero Emissions Clean Economy Target to 2075 and establishes an interim target of seventy per cent for 2050. Part II: Maintains the existing Zero Emissions Clean Economy Target but exempts the Department of Transportation and transportation systems and services from the target.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill extends Zero Emissions Clean Economy Target to 2075 with 70% interim goal (2050), advancing renewable energy adoption and emissions reduction per Climate Change/Zero Emissions subjects.92% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentExtends zero emissions target to 2075 with 70% interim goal, advancing climate action despite transportation exemption95% confidence

Sub-Topics Electric Vehicles Renewable Energy Climate Change

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in committee · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 619: RELATING TO STREAM WATER QUALITY.

Implements a 4-phase plan for the Department of Health to address contamination of Ulehawa Stream. Requires the University of Hawaii to provide assistance. Appropriates moneys.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentAddresses stream contamination via 4-phase plan, funds cleanup, and mandates university assistance to protect water quality, directly reducing pollution.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Water Quality

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