SB 446 Hawaii Senate · 2026 Regular Session

RELATING TO WASTE MANAGEMENT.

Summary

Beginning 7/1/2025, prohibits the construction, modification, or expansion of a landfill unit or any component of a landfill unit mauka of the underground injection control line without first establishing a buffer zone of not less than one-quarter mile around the landfill unit. Prohibits the utilization of fly ash, bottom ash, or a combination of fly and bottom ash from a municipal waste combustor, including any ash residue that remains after removal of metals for recycling into new metal products, for the purposes of road building, construction, or as alternative daily cover material on a landfill. Effective 12/31/2050. (SD2)

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 16, 2025 Last action Dec 8, 2025

Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons

What changed between versions

SB446_SD1 → SB446_SD2 · 5 edits

MODERATE

This bill was updated from Session 1 to Session 2, primarily shifting its focus from banning landfills in specific 'no pass zones' to establishing a universal buffer zone requirement for all new landfills. The bill now mandates a one-quarter mile buffer zone inland of underground injection control lines for any landfill construction or expansion, replacing the previous requirement to designate specific 'no pass zones' by counties. Additionally, the bill adds new definitions for 'mauka' (inland) and 'underground injection control line' to clarify where these protections apply.

Scope change

The bill's scope expanded from targeting specific areas designated by counties ('no pass zones') to applying a mandatory buffer zone requirement to all landfill units inland of underground injection control lines statewide.

REQUIREMENT

Replaced the requirement for counties to designate 'no pass zones' with a mandatory one-quarter mile buffer zone for all landfill units located inland of underground injection control lines.

Modified the buffer zone requirement to explicitly apply 'mauka of the underground injection control line' and changed the buffer distance from one-half mile to one-quarter mile.

Removed the specific prohibition on constructing landfills in 'no pass zones' as a standalone section, as this is now covered by the new buffer zone requirement.

DEFINITION

Added the definition of 'mauka' to mean 'inland' and 'underground injection control line' to mean the line determined by the department under specific rules.

TIMELINE

Updated the bill version identifier from SD1 to SD2 and adjusted associated metadata dates.

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 EEP, WAL, JHA, referral sheet 19

lower

Mar 4, 2025

Introduced

Received from Senate (Sen. Com. No. 161) in amended form (SD 2).

lower

Mar 4, 2025

Upper · Passed

Report Adopted; Passed Third Reading, as amended (SD 2). Ayes, 23; Aye(s) with reservations: Senator(s) Fevella, Keohokalole. Noes, 2 (Senator(s) DeCorte, Lee, C.). Excused, 0 (none). Transmitted to House.

upper

Feb 19, 2025

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on WAM recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in WAM were as follows: 12 Aye(s): Senator(s) Dela Cruz, Moriwaki, Aquino, DeCoite, Elefante, Hashimoto, Inouye, Kanuha, Kidani, Kim, Lee, C., Wakai; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 1 No(es): Senator(s) Fevella; and 0 Excused: none.

upper

Feb 14, 2025

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on WAM will hold a public decision making on 02-19-25 10:02AM; 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 HHS (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 632) with recommendation of passage on Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referral to WAM.

upper

Feb 12, 2025

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on HHS recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in HHS were as follows: 5 Aye(s): Senator(s) San Buenaventura, Aquino, Hashimoto, Keohokalole, Fevella; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 0 Excused: none.

upper

Feb 7, 2025

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on HHS has scheduled a public hearing on 02-12-25 1:00PM; Conference Room 225 & Videoconference.

upper

Jan 28, 2025

Committee

Re-Referred to HHS, WAM.

upper

Jan 21, 2025

Committee

Referred to HHS/EIG, WAM.

upper

Jan 16, 2025

Introduced

Introduced.

upper

1 primary · 0 co-sponsors