SB 2322 Hawaii Senate · 2026 Regular Session

RELATING TO ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENTS.

Summary

Requires that an environmental assessment be conducted and an environmental impact statement be prepared for any proposed use within historic properties designated by the Hawaii or National Register of Historic Places, important to native Hawaiian people or to another ethnic group of the State, or determined to be eligible as a traditional cultural property or place on the National Register of Historic Places. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Issues: ✓ Environment

Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2026

Committee Review

Mar 2026

Senate Passage

Mar 2026

House Passage

Governor

Introduced Jan 15, 2026 Last action Mar 12, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

SB2322 → SB2322_SD1 · 4 edits

MODERATE

This bill significantly expands the definition of properties requiring environmental assessments to include sites important to Native Hawaiians and other ethnic groups, in addition to those on official historic registers. It also updates the effective date to July 1, 2050, and clarifies that new statutory material is underscored rather than italicized. These changes aim to broaden cultural protection beyond just listed sites to include properties with significant cultural value to specific communities.

Scope change

The bill's scope expanded from covering only properties on the National or Hawaii Registers of Historic Places to also include properties important to Native Hawaiians and other ethnic groups, as well as traditional cultural properties eligible for the National Register.

ELIGIBILITY

Expanded eligibility criteria to include properties important to Native Hawaiians or other ethnic groups due to cultural practices, beliefs, or oral accounts, not just those on official registers.

DEFINITION

Redefined 'historic site' to include properties with cultural significance to ethnic groups and those determined eligible as traditional cultural properties.

TIMELINE

Changed the effective date from 'upon approval' to a fixed date of July 1, 2050.

TECHNICAL

Updated the description of how new statutory material is formatted in the bill text.

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 12, 2026

Committee

Referred to EEP, WAL, JHA, referral sheet 17

lower

Mar 10, 2026

Introduced

Received from Senate (Sen. Com. No. 210) in amended form (SD 1).

lower

Mar 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

Feb 27, 2026

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on JDC recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED. The votes in JDC were as follows: 5 Aye(s): Senator(s) Rhoads, Gabbard, Chang, San Buenaventura, Awa; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 0 Excused: none.

upper

Feb 23, 2026

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on JDC will hold a public decision making on 02-27-26 10:30AM; Conference Room 016 & Videoconference.

upper

Feb 20, 2026

Upper · Passed

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

upper

Feb 20, 2026

Committee

Reported from WLA/AEN (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 2620) with recommendation of passage on Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referral to JDC.

upper

Feb 11, 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

Feb 11, 2026

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on AEN recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in AEN were as follows: 5 Aye(s): Senator(s) Gabbard, Richards, DeCoite, Rhoads, Awa; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 0 Excused: none.

upper

Feb 6, 2026

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on WLA/AEN has scheduled a public hearing on 02-11-26 1:00PM; CR 224 & Videoconference.

upper

Jan 26, 2026

Committee

Referred to WLA/AEN, JDC.

upper

Jan 21, 2026

Introduced

Introduced and passed First Reading.

upper

Jan 15, 2026

Introduced

Pending Introduction.

upper

1 primary · 1 co-sponsor