SB 3323 Hawaii Senate · 2026 Regular Session

RELATING TO ECOSYSTEM RIGHTS.

Summary

Recognizes watersheds and coral reef ecosystems as legal persons with inherent and inalienable rights to exist, flourish, and naturally evolve. Establishes enforceable ecosystem rights grounded in public trust doctrine and Native Hawaiian customary stewardship. Authorizes citizen enforcement, restorative and injunctive remedies, civil penalties, and continuing duties of ecological repair, including for historic harms. Provides for open representation, community consultation, co-governance, and supremacy over conflicting laws.

Issues: ✓ 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 30, 2026 Last action Feb 11, 2026

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, 2026

Upper · Passed

The recommendation was not adopted.

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: 2 Aye(s): Senator(s) Gabbard; Aye(s) with reservations: Senator(s) Rhoads ; 3 No(es): Senator(s) Richards, DeCoite, Awa; and 0 Excused: none.

upper

Feb 6, 2026

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on AEN/WLA has scheduled a public hearing on 02-11-26 3:00PM; CR 224 & Videoconference.

upper

Feb 2, 2026

Committee

Referred to AEN/WLA, JDC.

upper

Jan 30, 2026

Introduced

Introduced.

upper

1 primary · 0 co-sponsors