Sen. Karl Rhoads

Maddy summarySB 723 increases the minimum distance required between new construction and shorelines. This change directly affects property owners and developers planning projects near coastal or waterway areas. The bill raises the current setback standard, requiring new buildings to be built farther from the water’s edge, though specific distance numbers are not provided in the abstract. As of now, the bill is pending in the 2026 legislative session after being carried over from 2025.

Establishes and appropriates funds for a three-year New Wastewater System and Individual Wastewater System Technology Demonstration and Implementation Pilot Program within the University of Hawaii at Manoa Water Resources Research Center. Requires the University of Hawaii at Manoa Water Resource Research Center to submit reports to the Legislature. Appropriates funds.

Maddy summarySB 671 prohibits the use of specific pesticides on all state-owned lands and facilities, such as parks, schools, and government buildings. It directly affects state agencies managing these properties by requiring them to stop using the banned pesticides, except in emergency situations like pest outbreaks threatening public health. The bill’s key provision replaces current pesticide use with this ban, applying only to state-controlled locations and not private land. This is a direct policy change to reduce exposure to certain chemicals on public grounds. The bill is still pending in committee and has not yet become law.

Authorizes the Board of Land and Natural Resources to adopt by rule, any federal rule or regulation relating to the public lands of the State as it existed on 1/1/2025 that it deems are in the public interest.

Establishes a parking demand management program. Requires the Department of Accounting and General Services to transition all state employee monthly parking options to daily rate parking. Requires the Department to procure parking reservation software. Creates 2 permanent full-time equivalent (2.0 FTE) positions. Appropriates moneys.

Prohibits the Department of Land and Natural Resources and Board of Land and Natural Resources from disposing of or approving the use or setting aside of public lands for the establishment of any immigration detention facility. Prohibits state and county agencies from contracting with the federal government for this purpose.

Defines "isolated wetlands" and "wetlands". Clarifies the definition of "state waters" to include wetlands and isolated wetlands. Requires the Director of Health to determine all wetlands in the State, including whether a wetland is an isolated wetland or is included in the waters of the United States. Prohibit persons from discharging any water pollutant into or at any location that enters state waters.

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.

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.

Adds a minimum penalty of $50 per violation of the State Water Code and makes each day that a violation exists or continues a separate offense. Requires the Commission on Water Resource Management to determine the amount of the penalty based on the circumstances of the violation.