Environment

in committee · Hawaii · House Feb 19, 2026

HB 1673: RELATING TO LANDFILL UNITS.

Repeals the prohibition on the construction, modification, or expansion of a landfill unit, or any component of a landfill unit, inland of an underground injection control line in a county with a population greater than five hundred thousand. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentProhibits landfill expansions in dense urban areas, reducing pollution risks and aligning with environmental protection goals by limiting waste infrastructure in populated zones.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

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passed · Hawaii · House Feb 19, 2026

HB 1879: RELATING TO PUBLIC TRANSIT.

Establishes within the Department of Transportation a subsidized youth transit program for youth who are residents of the State, to be coordinated with the counties. Authorizes the Department to adopt rules, expand eligibility, and consult with the Department of Education on best practices, under certain conditions. Establishes the Subsidized Youth Transit Program Special Fund. Requires biannual evaluations of the new program and Special Fund. Allocates funds from the Environmental Response, Energy, and Food Security Tax to the Subsidized Youth Transit Program Special Fund. Appropriates funds into and out of the Subsidized Youth Transit Program Special Fund. Requires reports to the Legislature. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill allocates tax revenues (environmental response, energy, food security) to fund a new public transit program special fund, directly advancing budgetary appropriations for public services.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill allocates environmental response tax to youth transit program, reducing emissions by promoting public transit use.85% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationAllocates environmental/energy tax funds to establish fare-free youth transit program, expanding public transit access and funding within DOT.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

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in committee · Hawaii · House Feb 18, 2026

HB 2400: RELATING TO ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.

Appropriates funds for Department of Hawaiian Home Lands projects eligible for general fund revenues that are generated by increases in transient accommodations tax collections and intended to be expended equally across projects related to natural resources, climate resilience, and destination management. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAppropriates transient accommodations tax revenue for DHHL projects in natural resources/climate resilience, directly advancing fiscal allocation within budget/tax framework.90% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentFunds natural resources and climate resilience projects via DHHL, directly advancing environmental conservation and resilience as specified in the bill's allocation language.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

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in committee · Hawaii · House Feb 18, 2026

HB 2079: RELATING TO CESSPOOLS.

HB 2079 reestablishes a state income tax credit for property owners who upgrade, convert, or connect their cesspools (sewage disposal systems) to public sewer lines or alternative systems. This tax credit applies to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2026, directly benefiting homeowners and businesses in areas reliant on cesspools. The key provision is the reinstatement of a financial incentive to encourage the replacement of older cesspools, which are often environmentally concerning. The bill does not create new regulations but provides a tax benefit for specific infrastructure upgrades. It is currently pending committee review for potential passage.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesReinstates income tax credit for cesspool upgrades, providing tax relief to property owners and promoting environmental compliance through fiscal incentive.90% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill incentivizes cesspool upgrades to reduce groundwater pollution from outdated systems, directly addressing environmental protection through wastewater management.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

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in committee · Hawaii · House Feb 17, 2026

HB 2451: RELATING TO TRANSPORTATION.

Beginning 1/1/2027, requires each county to implement fare-free access to its public transportation systems. Establishes the Fare-Free Public Transportation Tax and Dividend Special Fund. Increases the Environmental Response, Energy, and Food Security Tax on petroleum products to fund fare-free public transportation. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesIncreases petroleum tax to fund fare-free public transit, directly allocating tax revenue to a public service program per bill's funding mechanism.90% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyIncreases petroleum tax (energy sector) to fund fare-free transit, reducing fossil fuel dependence and advancing sustainable transportation infrastructure.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill taxes petroleum (Environmental Response Tax) to fund fare-free public transit, reducing vehicle emissions and promoting cleaner transportation.90% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationMandates fare-free public transit funding via new tax, directly advancing public transportation access and sustainability through dedicated funding.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

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in committee · Hawaii · House Feb 17, 2026

HB 1981: RELATING TO A PROGRAM TO CHARACTERIZE CARBON SEQUESTRATION POTENTIAL AND GEOTHERMAL AND UNDERGROUND WATER RESOURCES STATEWIDE.

Establishes a Geothermal, Carbon Sequestration, and Underground Water Resource Characterization Program via slim hole bores and a related statewide environmental assessment. Appropriates funds for the program. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAppropriates funds for new geothermal/carbon sequestration program, directly allocating budget resources per bill's funding language.95% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyFunds geothermal exploration and carbon sequestration program, advancing renewable energy infrastructure and resource characterization per bill's appropriations and subjects.92% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentFunds carbon sequestration and geothermal programs, promoting clean energy and carbon capture, directly advancing environmental protection goals.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

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in committee · Hawaii · House Feb 12, 2026

HB 2374: RELATING TO THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION.

Authorizes the Department of Education, in collaboration with the Department of Land and Natural Resources Division of Forestry and Wildlife, to establish the Shade and Fruit Tree Program to support educational activities and encourage propagation of native shade trees and fruit trees for planting in Department of Education schools. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill establishes Shade and Fruit Tree Program to support school educational activities and tree propagation, enhancing student engagement with native species.85% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentPromotes native tree planting for conservation, ecosystem health, and collaboration with forestry/wildlife divisions per bill's environmental focus.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

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in committee · Hawaii · House Feb 12, 2026

HB 1924: RELATING TO RECYCLING.

HB 1924 establishes a mattress stewardship program requiring manufacturers and retailers to manage the recycling of used mattresses. It creates a special fund financed by fees paid by businesses to cover collection and recycling costs. This bill directly affects mattress sellers and manufacturers, who would pay into the fund to support the program. The legislation aims to reduce mattress waste in landfills by mandating industry responsibility for end-of-life mattress disposal.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates new special fund financed by business fees to cover recycling program costs, establishing dedicated budgetary allocation for waste management.90% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill mandates industry-funded mattress recycling program to reduce landfill waste, directly advancing environmental protection through waste diversion and pollution control.92% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

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in committee · Hawaii · House Feb 12, 2026

HB 1598: RELATING TO THE HAWAII CLIMATE INSTITUTE.

Establishes the Hawaii Climate Institute at the University of Hawaii to support climate resilience and adaptation initiatives of the University and the State. Requires a percentage of the revenue generated by any increase to the Transient Accommodations Tax rates beginning on January 1, 2026, and by assessment of the Transient Accommodations Tax on gross rental proceeds derived from cruise fares to be allocated to the University of Hawaii annually to support the programs and operations of the Hawaii Climate Institute. Transfers the International Pacific Research Center of the University of Hawaii at Manoa's School of Ocean and Earth Sciences and Technology to the Hawaii Climate Institute. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates 6% of TAT revenue increases to fund Hawaii Climate Institute, directly using tax revenue for program funding per appropriation subject.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationAllocates 6% of Transient Accommodations Tax revenue to fund University of Hawaii's climate institute, supporting higher education programs and operations.85% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentAllocates 6% of tourism tax revenue to fund Hawaii Climate Institute for climate resilience programs, directly advancing environmental protection through dedicated funding.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

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in committee · Hawaii · House Feb 12, 2026

HB 1928: RELATING TO DEPOSIT BEVERAGE CONTAINER RECYCLING.

HB 1928 would replace the current deposit system for beverage containers with a new program requiring beverage producers to fund recycling. This shifts the financial responsibility from consumers (who currently pay a deposit) to the companies making the drinks. Under the new system, a Producer Responsibility Organization would manage the recycling program instead of the existing state-run deposit program. The bill is currently under committee review and has not yet become law.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentShifts beverage container recycling funding to producers, requiring industry responsibility for waste management, aligning with environmental protection goals.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

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