SB 151 Hawaii Senate · 2026 Regular Session

RELATING TO THE DEPARTMENT OF HAWAIIAN HOME LANDS.

Summary

Establishes a permitted interaction group within the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands. Appropriates funds to the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands to continue geophysical data collection, investigation, exploration, and identification of geothermal resources on Hawaiian home lands. Authorizes DHHL to hire consultants. Effective 7/31/2050. (SD1)

Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2025

Committee Review

Feb 2025

Senate Passage

Feb 2025

House Passage

Governor

Introduced Jan 10, 2025 Last action Dec 8, 2025

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

SB151 → SB151_SD1 · 3 edits

MINOR

The bill was updated from a House version to a Senate version, adding a new requirement to establish a 'Permitted Interaction Group' to study geothermal strategies. The specific dollar amount for funding was removed to allow for future legislative determination, and the effective date was significantly delayed from July 1, 2025, to July 31, 2050.

Scope change

The bill's scope expanded to include the mandatory creation of a new advisory group focused on geothermal exploration and use on Hawaiian home lands.

REQUIREMENT

Added a mandate to establish a 'Permitted Interaction Group' to study, evaluate, and recommend strategies for geothermal development.

FISCAL

Removed the specific $20,000,000 appropriation amount, leaving the sum blank for future determination.

TIMELINE

Changed the effective date of the Act from July 1, 2025, to July 31, 2050.

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 11, 2025

Upper · Passed

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

upper

Feb 11, 2025

Committee

Reported from HWN/EIG (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 206) with recommendation of passage on Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referral to WAM.

upper

Jan 28, 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, Richards, Fevella; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 1 Excused: Senator(s) DeCoite.

upper

Jan 28, 2025

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on HWN recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in HWN were as follows: 2 Aye(s): Senator(s) Richards, Keohokalole; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 1 No(es): Senator(s) DeCorte; and 2 Excused: Senator(s) San Buenaventura, Ihara.

upper

Jan 24, 2025

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on HWN/EIG has scheduled a public hearing on 01-28-25 3:00PM; Conference Room 016 & Videoconference.

upper

Jan 17, 2025

Committee

Referred to HWN/EIG, WAM.

upper

Jan 15, 2025

Introduced

Introduced and passed First Reading.