Environment

passed · Hawaii · Senate Mar 30, 2026

SB 2973: RELATING TO FISHING.

SB 2973 prohibits the use of jug line fishing and other jug rig variants in all state waters. This directly affects recreational and commercial fishermen who currently use these specific fishing methods. The bill's key provision is a clear ban on these techniques, replacing any existing allowances. It does not include exceptions or enforcement details in the provided abstract. The bill is currently in committee referral after its first reading.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBans nonselective jug line fishing, reducing bycatch and protecting marine ecosystems. Directly aligns with conservation goals in environmental protection.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

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passed both · Hawaii · House Mar 25, 2026

HB 1695: RELATING TO RENEWABLE FUEL.

HB 1695 expands an existing tax credit for renewable fuel producers, allowing them to claim additional credits for fuels produced after December 31, 2025. This bill directly affects businesses manufacturing renewable fuels like ethanol or biodiesel by increasing their potential tax savings. The key provision extends the credit to taxable years beginning after 2025, with an effective date listed as July 1, 3000 (likely a typo for 2030). The bill is currently pending before the TRN committee, having been deferred for further review in February 2026, and has not yet become law.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill expands tax credit for renewable fuel producers, directly providing tax relief to businesses, thus supporting tax policy in budget & taxes.90% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyExpands tax credits for renewable fuel producers, directly incentivizing increased production of renewable energy sources like ethanol and biodiesel.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentExpands tax credits for renewable fuel producers (ethanol, biodiesel, sustainable aviation fuel), directly incentivizing clean energy production and reducing reliance on fossil fuels.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationExtends tax credits for renewable fuels (including sustainable aviation fuel), directly promoting sustainable transportation through producer incentives.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

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passed both · Hawaii · House Mar 24, 2026

HB 1984: RELATING TO RENEWABLE ENERGY.

By 7/1/2027, requires government entities in the State that issue building permits to establish a self‑certification process for certain behind‑the‑meter, customer‑sited solar distributed energy resource systems that deems permit applications approved and allows applicants to proceed to build solar distributed energy resource systems immediately. Requires government entities in the State that issue building permits to develop guidance for determining specific conditions when a Federal Emergency Management Agency-mandated No-Rise Certification is not required for a solar distributed energy resource system located in a regulatory floodway. Effective 7/1/3000. (SD1)

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyStreamlines permitting for solar installations, removing barriers to renewable energy adoption through self-certification process for distributed energy systems.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentStreamlines solar permit process to accelerate renewable energy adoption, directly advancing clean energy goals without environmental restrictions.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

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passed · Hawaii · House Mar 24, 2026

HB 2030: RELATING TO TRANSPORTATION AFFORDABILITY.

Requires the Department of Transportation to establish a clean vehicle rebate program to provide rebates for the purchase or lease of new and used zero-emission vehicles and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles. Establishes the clean vehicle special fund. Beginning 1/1/2027, establishes a transportation affordability and energy security tax. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill establishes new transportation affordability tax and special fund to fund clean vehicle rebates, directly creating tax revenue and fiscal mechanism for program.95% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyEstablishes clean vehicle rebates, special fund, and energy security tax to promote zero-emission vehicles and reduce fossil fuel dependence.90% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRebates for zero-emission vehicles directly reduce emissions and fund clean transportation initiatives under Environment subject.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill mandates DOT to establish clean vehicle rebates and special fund, directly promoting sustainable transportation affordability through funding and tax mechanisms.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Mar 24, 2026

SB 3014: 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.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentIncreases penalties for harming protected turtles, strengthening wildlife conservation under existing environmental protections.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

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passed both · Hawaii · House Mar 20, 2026

HB 1450: RELATING TO AGRICULTURAL CLIMATE RESILIENCY.

Establishes a three-year Climate-Resilient Food Systems Grant Pilot Program, to be administered by the Department of Agriculture. Requires reports to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentEstablishes Climate-Resilient Food Systems Grant Program with funding to advance environmental adaptation in agriculture, directly supporting climate resilience and sustainable practices.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

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passed · Hawaii · House Mar 20, 2026

HB 2618: RELATING TO THE ENVIRONMENT.

Establishes a Green Fee Special Fund to receive an allocation of green fee revenues. Establishes various special funds to receive allocations of green fee revenues. Requires the Governor to request, through a bill separate from the budget or supplemental budget, an amount that approximates green fee revenues subtracted from the amounts allocated to the various funds to be expended for certain climate change and tourism destination management projects. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesDirects transient accommodations tax revenue toward climate/tourism projects, ensuring dedicated funding allocation for specified purposes.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentFunds climate change projects via tourism tax revenue, directly advancing environmental protection goals.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

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passed · Hawaii · House Mar 18, 2026

HB 644: RELATING TO SINGLE-USE PLASTICS.

Prohibits the distribution, sale, or use of single-use plastic food ware containing plastic with regulated perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances by businesses beginning on 1/1/2028. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentProhibits single-use plastics and PFAS-containing items to reduce pollution and waste, directly advancing environmental protection per bill's 2026 implementation.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

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passed · Hawaii · House Mar 17, 2026

HB 2608: RELATING TO WATER HEATING SYSTEMS.

Authorizes building permit variances for certain high-efficiency electric water heating systems utilizing heat pump technology. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExpands renewable energy tax credit, providing tax relief for qualifying water heating systems, directly supporting fiscal policy for energy efficiency.95% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyExpands renewable energy tax credits to high-efficiency electric water heating systems, promoting clean energy adoption and energy efficiency.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentExpands renewable energy tax credit for high-efficiency electric water heating systems, promoting cleaner energy adoption and reducing energy consumption.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

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passed · Hawaii · House Mar 12, 2026

HB 1986: RELATING TO A CLEAN FUEL STANDARD.

HB 1986 requires the state Department of Transportation to create rules by January 1, 2028, establishing a clean fuel standard for alternative fuels used in vehicles. The bill mandates regular reporting to the legislature and public informational sessions about the standard's implementation. It directly affects alternative fuel providers and the Department of Transportation, setting new requirements for fuel composition and emissions. The bill is currently pending committee review (deferred until February 2026) and has not yet become law.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyRequires clean fuel standard for alternative fuels, mandates emissions reduction, and promotes renewable energy infrastructure per bill's explicit language.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRequires clean fuel standard for vehicles, reducing emissions and promoting cleaner transportation per bill's mandate for fuel composition and emissions rules.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill mandates clean fuel standard for vehicles, directly promoting sustainable transportation through emissions and fuel composition requirements.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

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