SB 1559 Hawaii Senate · 2026 Regular Session

RELATING TO DUNE RESTORATION.

SB 1559 appropriates funds to the University of Hawaii Sea Grant College Program for dune restoration work at Hanakaoo Beach Park. The bill directly affects the Hanakaoo Beach Park area by providing dedicated funding for ecological restoration efforts. Key provisions include allocating state funds specifically for the University of Hawaii Sea Grant program to implement dune restoration, with the measure becoming effective July 31, 2050. This is a funding bill focused on environmental restoration, not a policy change affecting broader populations or regulations.

Issues: ✓ Environment

Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2025

Committee Review

Mar 2025

Senate Passage

Mar 2025

House Passage

Governor

Introduced Jan 22, 2025 Last action Dec 8, 2025

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

SB1559 → SB1559_SD1 · 3 edits

MINOR

The bill was amended to change the sponsor from the Senate to the Senate of Maui (SD1) and updated the effective date from July 1, 2025, to July 31, 2050. The funding amount was removed from the text, leaving a blank space for the legislature to fill in later. The report title was also updated to reflect the 'Sea Grant College' program specifically.

Scope change

The bill's scope remains focused on dune restoration at Hanakaoo Beach Park, but the effective date is now set to 2050, significantly delaying implementation compared to the original 2025 date.

TIMELINE

The effective date was changed from July 1, 2025, to July 31, 2050, pushing the start of the project by 25 years.

FISCAL

The specific dollar amount appropriated was removed from the text, leaving a blank line for the final budget decision.

SCOPE

The report title was updated to explicitly name the 'Sea Grant College' program instead of just the university.

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

Mar 6, 2025

Committee

Referred to HED, WAL, FIN, referral sheet 19

lower

Mar 4, 2025

Introduced

Received from Senate (Sen. Com. No. 369) in amended form (SD 1).

lower

Mar 4, 2025

Upper · Passed

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

upper

Feb 28, 2025

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on WAM recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED. The votes in WAM were as follows: 11 Aye(s): Senator(s) Dela Cruz, Moriwaki, Aquino, DeCoite, Elefante, Hashimoto, Inouye, Kanuha, Kim, Wakai, Fevella; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 2 Excused: Senator(s) Kidani, Lee, C..

upper

Feb 26, 2025

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on WAM will hold a public decision making on 02-28-25 10:35AM; Conference Room 211 & Videoconference.

upper

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 HRE (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 522) 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 HRE recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in HRE were as follows: 4 Aye(s): Senator(s) Kim, Kidani, Fukunaga, Hashimoto; 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 HRE has scheduled a public hearing on 02-11-25 3:10PM; Conference Room 229 & Videoconference.

upper

Jan 27, 2025

Committee

Referred to HRE, WAM.

upper

Jan 23, 2025

Introduced

Introduced and passed First Reading.