Environment

passed · Hawaii · Senate Mar 4, 2026

SB 3000: RELATING TO INSURANCE.

Authorizes the Attorney General to bring a civil action in the name of the people of the State as parens patriae against any responsible party to recover certain costs or obtain certain relief, including costs and losses incurred by the Hawaii Hurricane Relief Fund, or other state entities, resulting from climate attributable harm or costs for risk of future climate attributable harm. Authorizes the Hawaii Property Insurance Association and Hawaii Hurricane Relief Fund, or any private insurer licensed in the State to bring a civil cause of action against a responsible party to recover its costs and losses resulting from climate attributable harm. Establishes the Climate Disaster Special Fund to collect and disperse funds collected from certain civil actions to be distributed in a certain order of priority. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentAuthorizes legal action to recover costs from climate attributable harm, directly addressing climate change impacts through state insurance entities and funds.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Natural Disasters

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in committee · Hawaii · House Dec 8, 2025

HB 786: RELATING TO DEPOSIT BEVERAGE CONTAINER RECYCLING.

Allows the Department of Health to use money in the Deposit Beverage Container Deposit Special Fund to deploy reverse vending machines. Repeals certain exemptions for beverage dealers from the requirement to operate redemption centers. Allows for the establishment of regional centers for the redemption of refillable beverage containers but not as substitutes for dealers' means to receive deposit beverage containers. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill promotes beverage container recycling via reverse vending machines and redemption centers, reducing waste and pollution per environmental protection indicators.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Recycling

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in committee · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 667: RELATED TO TOXIC CHEMICALS.

Requires state agencies that monitor environmental toxins and pollutants to establish environmental action levels (EALs) to ensure the preservation of a safe environment. Prohibits modifications to EALs unless certain procedural requirements are met. Establishes a process to allow any resident to petition for modifications to an established EAL.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentMandates EALs for pollutants, prohibits lax modifications, and enables public petitions - strengthens environmental regulation and protection standards.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Mar 12, 2026

SB 2103: RELATING TO PESTICIDES.

Requires the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity to use consistent units of measurement in its summary to the public on the amounts of restricted use pesticides applied. Beginning 1/1/2027, establishes a one-half mile buffer zone for pesticides around schools during normal school hours and state and county public parks. Establishes certain exemptions. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD2)

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentCreates buffer zones around schools/parks to limit pesticide exposure, reducing environmental contamination near sensitive areas and aligning with pollution control measures.85% confidence

Track

passed · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 501: RELATING TO CESSPOOLS.

Requires the Department of Health, to the extent allowable under federal law, to prioritize the use of Water Pollution Control Revolving Fund moneys for projects by homeowners to upgrade cesspools to director-approved wastewater systems or connect homeowners' properties to sewerage systems, including projects for the installation of cluster systems or community package plants. Effective 12/31/2050. (SD1)

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill mandates cesspool upgrades to prevent groundwater pollution using water pollution funds, directly advancing clean water protection and pollution control.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Water Quality

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in committee · Hawaii · Senate Jan 22, 2026

SB 2113: RELATING TO PLANT-BASED FOOD AND DRINKS.

Requires the Departments of Corrections and Rehabilitation, Accounting and General Services, and Health to establish a Plant-Based-By-Default Program for food and drinks offered at state-operated prisons, state-licensed hospitals, and government-sponsored events. Requires annual reports to the Hawaii Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Commission.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRequires plant-based food programs linked to Hawaii's Climate Change Commission, reducing emissions via dietary shift as plant-based diets lower carbon footprint.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Climate Change

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in committee · Hawaii · Senate Feb 2, 2026

SB 3259: RELATING TO SOLID WASTE.

Requires municipal solid waste combustor ash to be disposed of only in a double-lined landfill, except for in Waimanalo Gulch Sanitary Landfill cells constructed and in use by 12/31/2025. Beginning 12/31/2026, prohibits the reuse of municipal solid waste incinerator ash for use as daily landfill cover material, roadbuilding, fill, or construction material.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRequires double-lined landfills for ash disposal and bans ash reuse, preventing soil/water contamination and strengthening solid waste regulations.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Waste Management

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 674: RELATING TO THE ENVIRONMENT.

Requires the Department of Health to conduct a statewide needs assessment to determine what will be needed to reduce waste generation, increase reuse, improve recycling collection services, and expand local processing of materials through an extended producer responsibility program for packaging materials and paper products. Requires the Department of Health to complete and submit the needs assessment to the Legislature no later than 12/31/2028. Establishes an advisory council to review the draft needs assessment and propose recommendations throughout the assessment process. Appropriates funds. Effective 12/31/2050. (SD1)

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRequires extended producer responsibility for packaging waste, mandates waste reduction assessment, and promotes recycling improvements to strengthen environmental protections.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Recycling

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Feb 20, 2026

SB 2333: RELATING TO NEONICOTINOIDS.

Beginning 1/1/2027, prohibits the sale, possession, or use of a pesticide containing one or more neonicotinoid pesticides, under certain conditions. Requires the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity to evaluate the potential impacts of and adopt any necessary control measures for neonicotinoid pesticide use on pollinating insects, native migratory and resident birds, aquatic organisms, and human health. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentProhibits neonicotinoid pesticides (harmful to pollinators/ecosystems) and mandates environmental impact evaluations per bill summary.95% confidence

Tags Agriculture

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in committee · Hawaii · Senate Jan 21, 2026

SB 840: RELATING TO ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION.

Allows the Department of Land and Natural Resources to contract or form a partnership with private parties to assist with the maintenance and management of sunscreen dispensers at all state beaches, as well as publicize that the mineral-based sunscreen in these dispensers is more protective of the coral reefs of the State. Appropriates funds for the installation, maintenance, management, and operation of non-chemical sunscreen dispensers on all state beaches.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill promotes mineral sunscreen to protect coral reefs, funds installation/maintenance of dispensers, directly advancing environmental protection at state beaches.95% confidence

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