HB 2599 Hawaii House · 2026 Regular Session

RELATING TO AQUATIC PROTECTION.

Summary

Requires the Division of Aquatic Resources of the Department of Land and Natural Resources to: manage the aquatic life and aquatic resources of the State, giving the highest priority to protecting, restoring, and maintaining ecosystem integrity and using the best peer-reviewed scientific data available; maintain reefs and each native species within them at levels no less than the best peer-reviewed science suggests is able to comfortably withstand the worst coral bleaching events and other likely threats to reef ecosystem health in the subsequent five decades; and set goals, make plans, and take action to substantially increase coral-reef resilience with annual reports to the Legislature. (SD1)

Issues: ✓ Environment

Bill status passed both 4 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2026

Committee Review

Apr 2026

House Passage

Mar 2026

Senate Passage

Apr 2026

Governor

Introduced Jan 28, 2026 Last action Apr 21, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons

What changed between versions

HB2599_HD1 → HB2599_SD1 · 5 edits

MODERATE

The bill was revised to shift from a generic statewide approach to a specific, urgent focus on Oahu, which is identified as the most critically impacted island. The changes mandate that coral reefs and native species must be maintained at levels capable of withstanding the worst predicted bleaching events over the next 50 years, replacing previous vague goals. The timeline for reporting was accelerated, and the authority to adopt emergency rules was expanded to allow for immediate action during coral bleaching events or other critical situations.

Scope change

The bill's scope was narrowed from a general statewide mandate to explicitly prioritize the island of Oahu, while also establishing a separate, later deadline for other islands. The definition of success was changed from general resilience to a specific scientific threshold based on peer-reviewed data regarding future bleaching events.

REQUIREMENT

The primary goal was changed from general resilience to a specific requirement that reefs and native species must withstand the worst predicted bleaching events in the next five decades.

New authority was granted to adopt temporary rules or take immediate action during emergencies, such as active bleaching events, without waiting for the full rulemaking process.

TIMELINE

Reporting deadlines were accelerated to begin in 2026, and the bill now requires annual reports indefinitely rather than a fixed set of dates.

SCOPE

The bill explicitly identifies Oahu as the most critically impacted island and sets a specific 2027 deadline for goals, with a later 2029 deadline for other islands.

TECHNICAL

References to 'best available science' were updated to 'best peer-reviewed scientific data' to ensure higher evidentiary standards.

Floor votes

How they voted

This bill passed the Senate by voice vote (no roll call recorded).

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Amendments

Apr 14, 2026

Amended

House disagrees with Senate amendment (s).

lower

Apr 10, 2026

Introduced

Returned from Senate (Sen. Com. No. 562) in amended form (SD 1).

lower

Apr 10, 2026

Upper · Passed

Report Adopted; Passed Third Reading. Ayes, 25; Aye(s) with reservations: none. Noes, 0 (none). Excused, 0 (none). Transmitted to House.

upper

Apr 6, 2026

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on WAM recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED. The votes in WAM were as follows: 12 Aye(s): Senator(s) Dela Cruz, Moriwaki, DeCoite, Elefante, Hashimoto, Inouye, Kanuha, Kidani, Kim, Richards, Wakai, Fevella; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 1 Excused: Senator(s) Lee, C..

upper

Mar 30, 2026

Upper · Passed

Report adopted; Passed Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referred to WAM.

upper

Mar 30, 2026

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on WAM will hold a public decision making on 04-01-26 10:03AM; Conference Room 211 & Videoconference.

upper

Mar 30, 2026

Committee

Reported from WLA (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 3370) with recommendation of passage on Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referral to WAM.

upper

Mar 23, 2026

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on WLA recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in WLA were as follows: 5 Aye(s): Senator(s) Lee, C., Inouye, Chang, Lamosao, DeCorte; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 0 Excused: none.

upper

Mar 20, 2026

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on WLA has scheduled a public hearing on 03-23-26 1:05PM; Conference Room 224 & Videoconference.

upper

Mar 10, 2026

Committee

Referred to WLA, WAM.

upper

Mar 6, 2026

Introduced

Received from House (Hse. Com. No. 124).

upper

Mar 5, 2026

Lower · Passed

Passed Third Reading with none voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and Representative(s) Perruso excused (1). Transmitted to Senate.

lower

Mar 3, 2026

Lower · Passed

The committee on FIN recommend that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED. The votes were as follows: 16 Ayes: Representative(s) Todd, Takenouchi, Hartsfield, Hussey, Keohokapu-Lee Loy, Kitagawa, Kusch, Lee, M., Miyake, Morikawa, Perruso, Templo, Yamashita, Alcos, Gedeon, Reyes Oda; Ayes with reservations: none; 0 Noes: none; and 0 Excused: none.

lower

Feb 13, 2026

Committee

Reported from WAL (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 270-26) as amended in HD 1, recommending passage on Second Reading and referral to FIN.

lower

Feb 10, 2026

Lower · Passed

The committee on WAL recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes were as follows: 9 Ayes: Representative(s) Hashem, Morikawa, Belatti, Ichiyama, Iwamoto, Poepoe, Woodson, Shimizu, Souza; Ayes with reservations: none; Noes: none; and Excused: none.

lower

Feb 2, 2026

Committee

Referred to WAL, FIN, referral sheet 6

lower

Jan 28, 2026

Introduced

Introduced and Pass First Reading.

lower

23 primary · 0 co-sponsors