SB 2374 Hawaii Senate · 2026 Regular Session

RELATING TO A BLUE ECONOMY.

Summary

Establishes the Blue Economy Working Group to study how to develop and support marine-based economic activities that align with the State's decarbonization and restorative food production goals. Requires a report to the Legislature. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Issues: ✓ Energy ✓ Environment

Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2026

Committee Review

Feb 2026

Senate Passage

Feb 2026

House Passage

Governor

Introduced Jan 16, 2026 Last action Feb 20, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

SB2374 → SB2374_SD1 · 3 edits

MINOR

The bill was amended to reflect its status as a Senate Draft (SD1) by updating the author's name and metadata. Substantively, the effective date of the Act was changed from 'upon approval' to July 1, 2050, which will delay the implementation of the Blue Economy Working Group for several years. Additionally, the dissolution date for the working group was updated to June 30, 2027, to align with the new timeline.

Scope change

The scope of the bill remains focused on establishing a Blue Economy Working Group to study marine-based economic activities, but the timeline for this study has been significantly extended.

TIMELINE

The Act's effective date was changed from 'upon approval' to July 1, 2050, delaying the start of the working group's operations.

The working group's dissolution date was updated to June 30, 2027, to correspond with the new effective date.

TECHNICAL

Metadata fields including the bill author, version number, and document ID were updated to reflect the Senate Draft version.

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 20, 2026

Upper · Passed

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

upper

Feb 20, 2026

Committee

Reported from EDT/AEN (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 2665) with recommendation of passage on Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referral to WAM.

upper

Feb 19, 2026

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on EDT recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in EDT were as follows: 5 Aye(s): Senator(s) DeCoite, Wakai, Fukunaga, Kim, Fevella; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 0 Excused: none.

upper

Feb 18, 2026

Upper · Passed

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

upper

Feb 9, 2026

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on EDT/AEN has rescheduled its public hearing to 02-13-26 3:01PM; Conference Room 224 & Videoconference.

upper

Feb 8, 2026

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on EDT/AEN deleted the measure from the public hearing scheduled on 02-09-26 3:05PM; CR 224 & Videoconference.

upper

Feb 6, 2026

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on EDT/AEN has scheduled a public hearing on 02-09-26 3:05PM; Conference Room 224 & Videoconference.

upper

Jan 26, 2026

Committee

Referred to EDT/AEN, WAM.

upper

Jan 21, 2026

Introduced

Introduced and passed First Reading.

upper

Jan 16, 2026

Introduced

Pending Introduction.

upper

4 primary · 3 co-sponsors