Sen. Angus McKelvey

Establishes a state goal to strengthen nature-based carbon emissions reduction solutions. Directs certain state agencies to identify opportunities for investing in nature-based solutions that reduce carbon emissions. Authorizes the Department of Land and Natural Resources to develop methodologies to quantify carbon emissions reductions through marine ecosystem restoration and nature-based solutions. Requires a report to the Legislature. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Establishes the Blue Economy Working Group to study how to develop and support marine-based economic activities that align with the State's decarbonization and restorative food production goals. Requires a report to the Legislature. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

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. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Establishes the Hawaii Agricultural Transportation Assistance Program, to consist of a reimbursement program and a grant program within the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity, to assist certain farmers and livestock producers with transportation costs for agricultural products, inputs, supplies, and production and distribution of agricultural commodities. Establishes the Hawaii Agricultural Transportation Assistance Special Fund. Requires reports to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Establishes the Strengthen Hawaii Homes Program under the Department of Land and Natural Resources to award grants for qualified mitigation projects to mitigate against loss from fire. Provides eligibility criteria for residential property owners to receive grants and guidelines for contractors and assessors to perform work on mitigation projects. Establishes the Strengthen Hawaii Homes Revolving Fund. Requires annual reports to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Establishes an organizational, tax, and regulatory framework for limited-profit housing associations. Establishes the Limited-Profit Housing Council within the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism to oversee limited-profit housing associations. Requires reports to the Legislature. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Establishes the Office of the State Search and Rescue Coordinator within the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency. Provides for the authority and duties of the State Search and Rescue Coordinator. Designates participating agencies and their duties with regard to state search and rescue operations and training. Establishes the Search and Rescue Special Fund. Requires reports to the Legislature. Requires the Administrator of Emergency Management to hire the Coordinator by 1/1/2027. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/2525. (SD1)

Prohibits government entities from making personal information publicly accessible through a publicly accessible information system or publicly accessible source of information, except under certain conditions. Allows individuals who reasonably believe their personal information is publicly accessible through a government entity's publicly accessible information system or publicly accessible source of information to submit a written notice to the entity to require corrective action. Establishes a cause of action to compel compliance. Establishes statutory penalties for intentional noncompliance. Requires government entities to adopt and implement policies and procedures to prevent personal information from being publicly accessible. Requires government entities that own, license, maintain, use, collect, or possess personal information to implement and maintain certain reasonable security procedures and practices to protect the personal information. Requires government entities to provide notice to individuals in the case of a breach of a security system protecting personal information. Requires government entities to submit an annual report to the Legislature. Effective 1/1/2525. (SD1)

Establishes the Ombudsman's Office for Homeowners Insurance within the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs. Establishes the Ombudsman's Office for Homeowners Insurance Special Fund. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Maddy summarySB 2941 prohibits the sale, rental, or distribution of disposable bodyboards within the state. It directly affects businesses that sell or rent these products and consumers who purchase them. The bill establishes legal penalties for violations of this ban. This legislation is currently in early committee review, having been introduced and passed its first reading in January 2026.