SB 2999 requires the state Department of Transportation to create and adopt rules by January 1, 2028, establishing a clean fuel standard for alternative transportation fuels like electricity and biofuels. This rulemaking will directly affect fuel providers, refiners, and the state's transportation sector by setting requirements for reducing carbon emissions in these fuels. The bill mandates the DOT to develop specific standards for cleaner fuel use, focusing on lowering greenhouse gas emissions from transportation. It does not set immediate fuel requirements but establishes a timeline for the agency to create enforceable rules. The legislation is currently in committee review after its introduction in January 2026.
Recognizes the Hawaii Conservation Sanctuary as a nonprofit entity established pursuant to Senate Resolution 94, Senate Draft 1, Regular Session of 2026, to protect and expand populations of endangered species and other wildlife in the State. (CD1)
Updates and establishes additional statewide goals for solid waste stream and organic waste stream diversion. Requires the recycling, bioconversion, and organic waste diversion component to identify and assess methods to achieve certain organic waste stream reduction goals. (CD1)
SB 2983 makes damaging or destroying trees on state or county property a misdemeanor offense. It directly affects individuals who intentionally harm trees in public spaces like parks, roadsides, or government land. The bill establishes a new criminal penalty for this action, treating it as a misdemeanor rather than a civil violation. This changes the legal consequence for tree destruction on public land, creating a clear criminal pathway for enforcement.
This Senate Concurrent Resolution urges Hawaii's Department of Land and Natural Resources to evaluate the environmental and ecological impacts of jug line fishing, a passive fishing method that uses floating buoys to suspend baited hooks. The bill specifically targets concerns about how this practice affects non-target marine species, including endangered animals like the Hawaiian monk seal and hawksbill sea turtle, and contributes to marine debris. If the assessment identifies issues, the resolution requires the department to create new regulations under Chapter 91 of Hawaii's Revised Statutes to address those concerns. This measure does not immediately ban the practice but mandates a formal review and potential rulemaking to protect marine ecosystems.
This Senate Concurrent Resolution urges the County of Hawaii and City and County of Honolulu to pass local laws banning the sale, rental, and distribution of disposable bodyboards made from polystyrene foam. The bill aims to reduce plastic pollution in Hawaii's marine ecosystems by following the lead of Maui and Kauai counties, which have already implemented similar restrictions. It does not create new laws itself but serves as a formal recommendation for the two counties to adopt their own ordinances. The resolution is intended to help minimize waste and protect the state's shoreline and reefs from discarded foam materials.
This Senate Concurrent Resolution establishes a working group to study how Hawaii could create a state-recognized nonprofit organization to support endangered species sanctuaries and conservation projects. The group will be led by committee chairs from both legislative chambers and will include representatives from natural resources agencies and invited experts. Its main task is to research successful sanctuary models used in other places, examine how they are governed, and propose a structure for a new nonprofit that could help protect Hawaii's unique wildlife. The working group must submit its findings and recommendations to the Legislature by early 2027. This resolution does not create the nonprofit itself but sets up a process to develop plans for one.
Requires the Director of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism to implement a requirement that, no later than January 1, 2028, diesel fuel sold in certain counties for use in on-highway diesel-powered motor vehicles contains no less than five per cent biodiesel by volume, except in circumstances where the supply of biodiesel is insufficient. Requires the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism to submit a report to the Legislature, including a comprehensive rollout plan. Requires the Director of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism to consult with the Department of Transportation during the development and implementation of the biodiesel requirements and present DBEDT's comprehensive rollout plan to the public. Effective 7/1/3050. (SD1)
Restructures the conveyance tax to a marginal rate system for the sale of properties with residential use, adjusts the tax for multifamily properties to reflect value on a per-unit basis, and applies a cost-of-living adjustment to conveyance tax rates. Establishes the Transit-Oriented Development Infrastructure Subaccount within the Dwelling Unit Revolving Fund. Allocates a portion of conveyance tax collections to the Transit-Oriented Development Infrastructure Subaccount and Hawaiian Home Lands Infrastructure and Housing Special Fund. Establishes and appropriates funds out of the Hawaiian Home Lands Infrastructure and Housing Special Fund. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)
Amends the Renewable Energy Technologies Income Tax Credit by: Limiting claims for certain solar energy systems that are not third-party financed systems and installed and placed in service on a single-family residential property to taxpayers with an adjusted gross income of $175,000 or less if filing as an individual, $262,500 or less if filing as a head of household, or $350,000 or less if filing jointly; increasing the maximum adjusted gross income an individual taxpayer must be below in order to be eligible to have any excess credits refunded and limiting credit refundability to systems that are not third-party financed systems; and prohibiting a taxpayer from claiming a credit for a renewable energy technology system installed and placed in service on a residential property where the taxpayer has claimed a credit in prior taxable years. Applies to taxable years beginning after 12/31/2026. Sunsets 1/1/2029. (SD2)
