SB 3014 Hawaii Senate · 2026 Regular Session

RELATING TO WILDLIFE.

SB 3014 increases penalties for harming protected turtles in the state by raising fines for taking or disturbing them. This bill directly affects individuals or entities that interact with protected turtle species, such as beachgoers, developers, or others who might unintentionally or intentionally disturb these animals. The key provision is a specific increase in the monetary penalties for violations of existing turtle protection laws. The bill is currently in committee review, having been introduced on January 23, 2026.

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 23, 2026 Last action Mar 24, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

SB3014 → SB3014_HD1 · 3 edits

MINOR

The bill text was updated to reflect its progression from the Senate to the House of Representatives, changing the bill number to SB3014 HD1. The primary substantive change is the amendment to the effective date, which was moved from immediate approval to a distant future date of July 1, 3000. Additionally, the legislative purpose statement was slightly reworded to emphasize increasing deterrence.

Scope change

The bill's scope regarding wildlife protection and fine amounts remains unchanged; only the procedural status and the effective date were modified.

TIMELINE

The effective date of the new fines for turtle protection was changed from 'upon approval' to 'July 1, 3000', effectively delaying enforcement indefinitely.

TECHNICAL

The bill identifier was updated from SB3014 to SB3014 HD1 to reflect House of Representatives action.

REQUIREMENT

The legislative purpose statement was reworded to explicitly state that the Act aims to 'increase deterrence' rather than just 'strengthen enforcement efforts'.

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 24, 2026

Committee

Reported from WAL (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 1345-26) as amended in HD 1, recommending passage on Second Reading and referral to JHA.

lower

Mar 19, 2026

Lower · Passed

The committee on WAL recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes were as follows: 8 Ayes: Representative(s) Hashem, Morikawa, Ichiyama, Iwamoto, Poepoe, Woodson, Shimizu, Souza; Ayes with reservations: none; 0 Noes: none; and 1 Excused: Representative(s) Belatti.

lower

Mar 12, 2026

Committee

Referred to WAL, JHA, referral sheet 17

lower

Mar 10, 2026

Introduced

Received from Senate (Sen. Com. No. 341).

lower

Mar 10, 2026

Upper · Passed

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

upper

Mar 4, 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 24, 2026

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on JDC will hold a public decision making on 03-04-26 9:40AM; Conference Room 016 & Videoconference.

upper

Feb 20, 2026

Upper · Passed

Report adopted; Passed Second Reading and referred to JDC.

upper

Feb 20, 2026

Committee

Reported from WLA/AEN (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 2622) with recommendation of passage on Second Reading and referral to JDC.

upper

Feb 11, 2026

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on WLA recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED. 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, UNAMENDED. The votes in AEN were as follows: 5 Aye(s): Senator(s) Gabbard, Richards, Rhoads, Awa; Aye(s) with reservations: Senator(s) DeCoite ; 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 30, 2026

Committee

Referred to WLA/AEN, JDC.

upper

Jan 23, 2026

Introduced

Introduced.

upper

5 primary · 0 co-sponsors