Environment

passed both · Hawaii · Senate Apr 27, 2026

SB 2372: RELATING TO TREES.

Establishes base selection criteria for designating exceptional trees. Establishes the significant tree designation, selection criteria, and related processes. Establishes the State Arborist Advisory Committee within the Department of Land and Natural Resources for administrative purposes. Requires County Arborist Advisory Committees to have at least five members, adopt new exceptional tree selection criteria, and designate significant trees. Directs the Department of Land and Natural Resources and the University of Hawaii to cooperate with State and County Arborist Advisory Committees to carry out the Exceptional Trees Program. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill establishes criteria for significant trees and committees to protect exceptional trees, advancing conservation efforts through designated tree preservation programs.90% confidence

Track

in committee · Hawaii · House Feb 20, 2026

HB 1817: RELATING TO PROTECTING HAWAII'S FISHERIES.

Requires the Board of Land and Natural Resources to adopt rules no later than June 30, 2030, establishing a statewide daily bag limit for ʻamaʻama during the open season; provided that the rules shall apply only to areas without management plans as of the effective date of the rules. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentEstablishes daily bag limit to conserve ʻamaʻama fish populations, directly protecting marine resources through sustainable fishing management.95% confidence

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in committee · Hawaii · Senate Feb 4, 2026

SB 2455: RELATING TO COMMUTING.

Requires the Director of Human Resources Development, in consultation with the Hawaii Climate Change Mitigation and Adaption Commission, State Energy Office, and Department of Accounting and General Services to develop a comprehensive Commuting Choice Benefit Program regardless of mode of transportation for all state employees in the executive branch and to recommend a similar program for state employees of the other branches. Requires a report to the Legislature.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRequires consultation with Hawaii Climate Change Commission & State Energy Office to develop commuting program, aligning with climate mitigation goals through transportation choices.85% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill creates a Commuting Choice Benefit Program for state employees regardless of transportation mode, promoting sustainable commuting options including public transit and reducing vehicle dependency.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Climate Change

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in committee · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 702: PROPOSING AN AMENDMENT TO ARTICLE I OF THE HAWAII STATE CONSTITUTION TO RECOGNIZE AND PROTECT THE INHERENT AND INALIENABLE RIGHT OF ALL PEOPLE TO CLEAN WATER AND AIR, A HEALTHFUL ENVIRONMENT AND CLIMATE, HEALTHY NATIVE ECOSYSTEMS, AND BEACHES.

Proposes a constitutional amendment to ensure that the inherent and inalienable right of the people, including future generations, to clean water and air, a healthful environment and climate, healthy native ecosystems, and beaches, shall be protected and shall not be infringed.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill explicitly enshrines constitutional protection for clean water, air, climate, ecosystems, and beaches, directly advancing environmental protection through binding rights recognition.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Water Quality

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in committee · Hawaii · Senate Feb 11, 2026

SB 2452: RELATING TO CLIMATE-FRIENDLY INSURERS.

Establishes requirements for certain insurers to address climate-related financial risk by limiting underwriting and investment in fossil fuel projects and by requiring reporting, certification, and regulatory oversight. Requires the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, in consultation with the Department of Health, to define certain terms by rule or guidance. Establishes the Climate-Friendly Insurers Special Fund. Appropriates funds.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill appropriates funds for Climate-Friendly Insurers Special Fund, directly funding a new program through budgetary provisions per its summary and subjects.95% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill mandates insurers to limit fossil fuel investments, directly reducing dependence on fossil fuels and advancing climate-friendly energy transition.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRequires insurers to limit fossil fuel investments, mandates climate risk reporting, and establishes a climate-focused fund, directly advancing environmental protection goals.95% confidence

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 561: RELATING TO CONSERVATION ENFORCEMENT.

Appropriates funds for equipment for the Oahu Branch of the Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement of the Department of Land and Natural Resources. Effective 1/1/2050. (SD1)

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentFunds equipment for conservation enforcement under DLNR, directly strengthening environmental protection and resource management efforts.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation

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in committee · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 939: RELATING TO CLIMATE CHANGE.

Expands the scope of the Hawaii Clean Energy Initiative Program to include the design, implementation, and administration of pathways for supporting renewable energy and conservation projects that align carbon sequestration with marine ecosystem restoration and opportunities for strengthening carbon accounting methodologies to assist in the quantification and reduction of direct and indirect greenhouse gas emissions. Requires a report to the Legislature.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill expands Hawaii Clean Energy Initiative to include renewable energy projects, carbon sequestration, and carbon accounting for GHG reduction, directly advancing clean energy goals.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentExpands clean energy program to include carbon sequestration, marine restoration, and emissions reduction, directly advancing climate change mitigation and conservation goals.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Renewable Energy Climate Change Conservation

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in committee · Hawaii · Senate Jan 21, 2026

SB 673: RELATING TO ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP FEES.

Effective 7/1/2027, establishes the Environmental Stewardship Fee Program within the Department of Land and Natural Resources, through which the Department will collect a fee from visitors for a license to visit a state park, forest, hiking trail, or other state natural area. Establishes the Environmental Stewardship Fee Special Fund effective 7/1/2025. Allocates a certain amount of transient accommodations tax revenues to the special fund. Requires report to the Legislature on strategic plan and timetable for objectives and implementation of the environmental stewardship fee program. Appropriates funds for the environmental stewardship fee strategic plan and positions for the Environmental Stewardship Fee Program.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill creates Environmental Stewardship Fee Program and allocates transient accommodations tax to fund environmental stewardship, directly advancing fiscal management and budget allocation for a program.90% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentEstablishes Environmental Stewardship Fee Program and Special Fund to collect fees from visitors to state natural areas, directly funding conservation efforts through dedicated revenue allocation.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Forestry Parks & Recreation

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in committee · Hawaii · Senate Jan 26, 2026

SB 2205: RELATING TO PLASTIC POLLUTION.

Prohibits the sale of any beverage contained in single-use plastic beverage containers where the plastic beverage cap is not tethered to the single-use plastic beverage container when the plastic beverage cap is removed. Requires plastic beverage caps tethered or otherwise attached to the single-use plastic beverage containers to be the same plastic resin.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentProhibits untethered plastic caps to reduce litter and pollution, directly addressing plastic pollution in the environment.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Recycling

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 1084: RELATING TO THE DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES.

Appropriates funds to establish positions within the Division of Aquatic Resources of the Department of Land and Natural Resources. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentAppropriates funds for Aquatic Resources division positions, directly supporting natural resource conservation and management under DLNR.95% confidence

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