SB 1338 Hawaii Senate · 2026 Regular Session

RELATING TO LONG DURATION CLEAN ENERGY STORAGE.

Summary

Renames the Hawaii Renewable Hydrogen Program to the Hawaii Renewable Hydrogen and Long Duration Clean Energy Storage Program (Program). Amends the required activities of the Program, including conducting engineering and economic evaluations of potential locations for long duration clean energy storage and pumped storage hydroelectric projects. Renames the Hydrogen Investment Special Fund to the Hydrogen and Long Duration Clean Energy Storage Investment Capital Special Fund. Effective 5/13/2040. (SD1)

Issues: ✓ Energy

Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2025

Committee Review

Feb 2025

Senate Passage

Feb 2025

House Passage

Governor

Introduced Jan 21, 2025 Last action Dec 8, 2025

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

SB1338 → SB1338_SD1 · 5 edits

MODERATE

This bill significantly expands the scope of Hawaii's renewable energy initiatives by renaming the existing hydrogen program to include long-duration clean energy storage. It updates the program's activities to evaluate potential sites for both hydrogen and large-scale energy storage technologies, while also renaming the associated investment fund. The effective date of the law was delayed from July 2025 to May 2040, likely to align with future legislative sessions or specific project timelines.

Scope change

The bill broadens the program's focus from solely hydrogen production to include the development and evaluation of long-duration clean energy storage technologies, such as pumped hydroelectric storage.

DEFINITION

Renamed the 'Hawaii Renewable Hydrogen Program' to the 'Hawaii Renewable Hydrogen and Long Duration Clean Energy Storage Program'.

Renamed the 'Hydrogen Investment Special Fund' to the 'Hydrogen and Long Duration Clean Energy Storage Investment Capital Special Fund'.

REQUIREMENT

Added new requirements for the program to conduct engineering and economic evaluations of potential locations for long-duration clean energy storage and pumped storage hydroelectric projects.

TIMELINE

Changed the effective date of the Act from July 1, 2025, to May 13, 2040.

FISCAL

Updated the appropriation language to explicitly include the establishment of temporary positions needed to support the expanded activities of the Act.

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

Feb 14, 2025

Upper · Passed

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

upper

Feb 14, 2025

Committee

Reported from EIG/EDT (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 539) with recommendation of passage on Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referral to WAM.

upper

Feb 11, 2025

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on EDT recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in EDT were as follows: 4 Aye(s): Senator(s) DeCoite, Wakai, Fukunaga, Awa; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 1 Excused: Senator(s) Kim.

upper

Feb 11, 2025

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on EIG recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in EIG were as follows: 4 Aye(s): Senator(s) Wakai, Chang, DeCoite, Richards; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 1 Excused: Senator(s) Fevella.

upper

Feb 7, 2025

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on EIG/EDT has scheduled a public hearing on 02-11-25 3:10PM; Conference Room 016 & Videoconference.

upper

Jan 27, 2025

Committee

Referred to EIG/EDT, WAM.

upper

Jan 23, 2025

Introduced

Introduced and passed First Reading.

upper

Jan 21, 2025

Introduced

Pending Introduction.

upper

1 primary · 0 co-sponsors