Establishes the sustainable tourism infrastructure matching grant program within the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism to support one-time capital investments that advance measurable sustainability and climate resilience outcomes within the State's visitor industry. Requires annual reports to the Legislature. Appropriates funds.
Authorizes the Department of Land and Natural Resources to expend the moneys from the State Parks Special Fund for programs aimed at environmental protection.
SB 1178 makes Hawaii’s Carbon Smart Land Management Assistance Program permanent, providing ongoing state support for landowners who manage forests, agricultural land, or other natural areas to absorb carbon dioxide. The program, administered by the Department of Land and Natural Resources, directly benefits landowners by offering technical and financial assistance for practices that enhance carbon sequestration. This bill codifies existing temporary support into law, ensuring consistent funding and guidance for climate-friendly land management without creating new requirements or altering current eligibility rules.
Establishes the Climate Health and Environmental Action Special Fund in the Department of Land and Natural Resources to minimize the impacts of, and respond to, climate crises, which, beginning 1/1/2026, will be funded by a $25 tax on transient accommodations. Exempts certain housing used for emergencies during a state disaster from the Transient Accommodations Tax. Appropriates funds.
Prohibits the feeding of feral non-native animals on state land within one-half mile of the ocean or a stream. Requires the Department of Land and Natural Resources to enforce certain penalties for violations. Requires the counties to adopt or amend ordinances to prohibit the feeding of feral non-native animals on county land within one-half mile of the ocean or a stream and impose certain penalties for violations. Establishes an annual reporting requirement to the Legislature.
Establishes a lifecycle greenhouse gas emission intensity standard that an energy source must meet to be considered a renewable energy source. Excludes trees and woody products of trees from the definition of "renewable energy".
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.
Requires the Department of Accounting and General Services and Department of Transportation to develop a plan for a Comprehensive Transportation Demand Management Program to reduce vehicle emissions and miles traveled by single-occupancy vehicles. Establishes two permanent full-time equivalent (2.0 FTE) co-administrator positions, one in the Department of Accounting and General Services and one in the Department of Transportation. Requires a report to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. Effective 1/1/2491. (SD1)
Establishes a tax credit for sustainable aviation fuel distribution in Hawaii to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Provides $1 per gallon, increasing by 2 cents per additional 1 per cent emissions reduction, up to $2 per gallon. Caps total credits at $20,000,000 annually, with carryover provisions. Requires reporting to ensure transparency and compliance. Applies to taxable years after December 31, 2025, and sunsets on December 31, 2035.
SB 2476 creates a mattress stewardship program requiring manufacturers and retailers to manage the recycling of used mattresses. It establishes a special fund to cover recycling costs, funded by the industry rather than taxpayers. The bill directly affects mattress producers and sellers by making them responsible for end-of-life mattress collection and recycling. Key provisions include setting up the program structure and the dedicated fund, aiming to reduce landfill waste from mattresses.
