Environment

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 · Hawaii · House Mar 20, 2026

HB 1979: RELATING TO ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW.

Shortens the period during which certain judicial proceedings involving environmental assessments and environmental impact statements on actions that propose the use of land for, or construction of, affordable housing or clean energy projects must be initiated. Specifies that appeals from environmental courts that involve actions that propose the use of land for, or construction of, affordable housing or clean energy projects meet one of the grounds for transfer to the Supreme Court. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD3)

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyStreamlines judicial process for clean energy project approvals, removing legal delays to advance development.90% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentAccelerates clean energy project approvals by shortening judicial review timelines for environmental assessments, facilitating environmental protection through clean energy development.90% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingShortens judicial review timelines for affordable housing projects, reducing development delays per bill's focus on expediting environmental assessments for such projects.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Mar 19, 2026

SB 2096: RELATING TO WASTEWATER MANAGEMENT.

Requires certain wastewater treatment works to test sewage sludge and any other residual material intended for land application for the presence of PFAS. Requires the Director of Health to adopt rules for the monitoring, sampling, testing, and data collection of sewage sludge and other residual material at wastewater treatment works that contain PFAS. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRequires PFAS testing in wastewater sludge and prohibits land application to prevent environmental contamination, strengthening pollution control regulations.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Mar 19, 2026

SB 3081: RELATING TO A PROGRAM TO CHARACTERIZE THE POTENTIAL OF UNDERGROUND ENERGY RESOURCES STATEWIDE.

Establishes the Underground Energy Resource Characterization Program to identify the location and characteristics of accessible geothermal heat and carbon sequestration resources through the use of slim-hole bores and requires a related environmental assessment or environmental impact statement. Requires reports to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill explicitly appropriates funds for the Underground Energy Resource Characterization Program, directly allocating state budget resources per its summary and subjects.95% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyEstablishes geothermal resource characterization program, funding exploration for renewable energy development under Hawaii State Energy Office.90% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill establishes program to identify geothermal and carbon sequestration resources, promoting clean energy and environmental protection through required environmental assessments.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

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passed · Hawaii · House Mar 10, 2026

HB 1831: RELATING TO AGRICULTURAL LANDS.

Authorizes and provides funding for the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity, in coordination with relevant state agencies, to identify and, if legally permissible, resolve survey deficiencies and wastewater compliance issues on non-agricultural park lands. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill funds wastewater compliance on park lands, addressing pollution control - a key environmental protection measure.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

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in committee · Hawaii · House Feb 20, 2026

HB 1817: RELATING TO PROTECTING HAWAII'S FISHERIES.

Requires the Board of Land and Natural Resources to adopt rules no later than June 30, 2030, establishing a statewide daily bag limit for ʻamaʻama during the open season; provided that the rules shall apply only to areas without management plans as of the effective date of the rules. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentEstablishes daily bag limit to conserve ʻamaʻama fish populations, directly protecting marine resources through sustainable fishing management.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

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in committee · Hawaii · House Feb 20, 2026

HB 1904: RELATING TO SPACE OPERATIONS.

Establishes within the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism the Hawaii Orbital Sustainability and Space Traffic Board and orbital tracking and traffic management system. Establishes registration and compliance standards for aerospace activities in state airspace. Authorizes the awarding of research, education, and workforce development grants. Requires compliance with the Hawaii Environmental Policy Act and historic preservation requirements, and Native Hawaiian cultural consultation. Requires annual reports to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRequires compliance with Hawaii Environmental Policy Act for space operations, mandating environmental reviews and protection standards.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

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passed · Hawaii · House Feb 20, 2026

HB 2194: RELATING TO LEI.

Requires and establishes benchmarks for each state executive agency to ensure that a certain percentage of lei purchased by that executive agency consists of lei made entirely of natural objects and plant materials grown, harvested, and assembled in the State. Establishes labeling requirements for lei and lei materials. Requires the disclosure of the geographic origin for the plant materials and natural objects that comprise a lei or lei materials. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentMandates local natural lei materials, conserving regional resources and reducing transport emissions through procurement requirements.80% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

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passed · Hawaii · House Feb 19, 2026

HB 2602: RELATING TO A SUSTAINABLE TOURISM INFRASTRUCTURE.

Establishes the sustainable tourism infrastructure matching grant program within the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism to support one-time capital investments that advance measurable sustainability and climate resilience outcomes within the State's visitor industry. Requires annual reports to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAppropriates funds for sustainable tourism infrastructure program, directly advancing state budget allocation for climate resilience initiatives.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentFunds sustainable tourism infrastructure with climate resilience goals, directly advancing environmental protection through measurable outcomes and appropriations.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

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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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