This bill establishes the Green New Deal for Public Schools Act, which creates new funding streams to help U.S. public schools, including those run by the Bureau of Indian Education, become environmentally sustainable and resilient to climate change. It directs billions of dollars toward retrofitting existing school buildings to be energy-efficient and zero-carbon, constructing new green schools, and hiring local educators and support staff to improve school environments and community partnerships. The legislation also mandates that a significant portion of funds be used in environmental justice communities to address inequities, while requiring contractors to pay prevailing wages and prioritize hiring from local and historically disadvantaged groups. Additionally, the bill sets up a new office within the Department of Education to coordinate these efforts and ensures that schools can serve as community centers during disasters by upgrading infrastructure for power, water, and internet access.
The FISH Act of 2026 establishes a federal list of foreign vessels and their owners engaged in illegal, unreported, or unregulated fishing or forced labor, requiring the Secretary of Commerce to maintain this public registry with specific details about each entry. To enforce this list, the bill mandates that foreign owners or beneficial owners of listed vessels be denied U.S. visas and have any existing entry documentation revoked, while also directing the Coast Guard to increase patrols and boardings of suspected violators on the high seas. The legislation further requires the creation of strategies to identify seafood linked to forced labor, mandates regular reports on enforcement actions and the economic impacts of illegal fishing, and authorizes funding to support international efforts to combat these practices.
This bill, signed into law on July 8, 2026, requires all counties in Hawaii to allow the installation and operation of rainwater catchment systems on any property, regardless of whether it is connected to a public water system. The legislation defines these systems as setups that collect and store rainwater from rooftops for uses such as irrigation, toilet flushing, and cleaning. While counties must permit these systems, the law also allows local governments to require registration, inspection, or notification if necessary to protect public health or water quality. This change aims to reduce strain on public infrastructure and support sustainable water management across the state.
This bill establishes a new revolving loan fund to help Hawaii homeowners afford the high costs of converting outdated cesspools into approved wastewater systems or connecting to sewer lines. Administered by the Hawaii Green Infrastructure Authority, the program will offer low-interest or forgivable loans, prioritizing low- and moderate-income households, to assist with these necessary upgrades. The law also directs the Department of Health to transfer money from an existing water pollution control fund to help start and maintain this new lending program. By creating a dedicated financing source, the legislation aims to accelerate the cleanup of cesspools that currently threaten public health and the environment.
This bill, signed into law by the Governor on July 15, 2026, directs the Hawaii Department of Transportation to create a clean fuel standard for alternative fuels. The new rules must be adopted by January 1, 2028, and will establish a schedule to lower the carbon intensity of fuels used in the state. The standard aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by at least 10% below 2019 levels by 2035 and 50% by 2045. By incentivizing cleaner fuels, the legislation seeks to support economic growth, improve public health, and promote the use of waste materials and renewable energy sources.
This bill, signed into law by the Governor of Hawaii on July 7, 2026, bans the sale of disposable electronic smoking devices statewide starting January 1, 2027. The legislation defines these devices as non-refillable units with non-rechargeable batteries intended for single use and prohibits any person or entity from selling, offering for sale, or distributing them. Violations of the ban are subject to a fine of up to $100 per day for each instance. The law aims to address environmental concerns such as plastic pollution, hazardous waste from lithium batteries, and fire risks associated with improper disposal of these products.
This bill authorizes the Hawaii Board of Land and Natural Resources to enter into formal community co-management agreements with local nonprofit organizations to better steward public trust resources. It establishes specific qualifications for eligible community groups and allows these agreements to cover land and natural resources without requiring a public auction. The legislation aims to support long-term partnerships with place-based communities, such as those in Haena and Kipahulu, by providing a legal framework that honors traditional Native Hawaiian management practices.
This bill establishes a framework for creating regional shoreline mitigation districts to address coastal erosion and hazards threatening Hawaii's beaches and infrastructure. It empowers the Office of Planning and Sustainable Development to identify these districts and facilitate collaborative planning among state and county agencies, property owners, and community groups. The legislation requires the development of adaptation pathways plans that assess risks to public resources and private structures while exploring various solutions, such as erosion mitigation or managed retreat. Importantly, designating a district is for planning purposes only and does not approve any specific projects or shoreline changes.
This bill officially establishes a legal framework for conservation banks in Hawaii, which are designated sites used to restore or protect habitats for threatened and endangered species. The law authorizes public and private entities to operate these banks to provide long-term environmental protection and requires the Endangered Species Recovery Committee to oversee their applications and performance. By defining specific terms like "credits" and outlining rules for maintaining these sites, the legislation aims to make environmental mitigation projects more predictable and efficient for developers who need to offset impacts to wildlife.
This bill formally recognizes a newly established nonprofit organization as the Hawaii Conservation Sanctuary to support the state's conservation efforts. The nonprofit is authorized to create and manage specific protected areas, including sanctuaries around a recreational body of water, in areas suitable for native birds, and in other locations appropriate for wildlife protection. By exempting state funds given to this entity from certain legal requirements, the bill aims to provide flexible management for preserving endangered species and enhancing biodiversity in Hawaii.
