Environment

signed · Hawaii · House Jun 4, 2026

HB 1823: RELATING TO THE COASTAL ZONE MANAGEMENT ACT.

Applies a definition of "development" to special management areas within counties with a population between one hundred fifty thousand and two hundred thousand to exempt from special management area use permit requirements all activities that are not included within the definition, including certain federal-, state-, or county-funded, authorized, or implemented infrastructure and improvement projects that are exempt from an environmental assessment or for which a finding of no significant impact has been issued. Sunsets 6/30/2030. (CD2)

Topics ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentExempts infrastructure projects from permitting requirements, reducing regulatory oversight for coastal development activities.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Environment

signed · Hawaii · House May 29, 2026

HB 2395: RELATING TO THE TAKING OF MARINE DEPOSITS.

Authorizes the Department of Land and Natural Resources to issue permits for research, education, management, or propagation purposes that include the taking of marine deposits seaward of the shoreline, as long as the resources will be returned to the beach if possible and that the taking poses no more than a minimal or negligible risk to the environment. (CD1)

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRequires returning marine deposits and posing no environmental risk, ensuring protection of coastal resources through permit conditions.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

passed both · Hawaii · Senate May 22, 2026

SCR 79: ENCOURAGING THE UNITED STATES NAVY TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ERADICATION OF OCTOCORAL AND OTHER INVASIVE SPECIES FROM THE WATERS OF PEARL HARBOR, INCLUDING WEST LOCH, MIDDLE LOCH, AND EAST LOCH.

This bill encourages the United States Navy to take responsibility for removing octocoral and other invasive species from Pearl Harbor waters, including West Loch, Middle Loch, and East Loch. It urges the Navy to allocate resources to eradicate these invasive organisms, which grow rapidly and harm local marine ecosystems by reducing fish diversity, and to maintain and secure the harbor shoreline. The resolution is a formal request rather than a mandatory law, asking the Navy to address these environmental concerns as the principal caretaker of Pearl Harbor.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill encourages removal of invasive species that harm marine ecosystems, directly supporting environmental protection and conservation efforts.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

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passed both · Hawaii · Senate May 12, 2026

SCR 165: DESIGNATING THE MONTH OF MARCH AS MARCH4WATER MONTH IN THE STATE.

This Senate Concurrent Resolution designates March 2026 as March4Water Month in Hawaii to raise awareness about water conservation and infrastructure investment. The resolution aligns with global water observances and partners with plumbing and water industry organizations to encourage public participation in water-related education and advocacy activities. It directs copies of the resolution to state and county officials responsible for water management and encourages residents to support water resource initiatives.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill promotes water conservation and infrastructure investment, raising awareness about natural resource protection through designated awareness month.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

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passed both · Hawaii · Senate May 12, 2026

SCR 170: ENCOURAGING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A PARTNERSHIP WITH AOTEAROA NEW ZEALAND TO ADVANCE BIOSECURITY, CONSERVATION, PROTECTION OF ENDANGERED SPECIES, AND OTHER ISSUES OF MUTUAL CONCERN.

This Senate Concurrent Resolution encourages the State of Hawaii to establish a sister state relationship with New Zealand to share expertise in biosecurity, conservation, and endangered species protection. The bill highlights shared challenges between both Pacific island nations, such as invasive species threats and the need to protect unique native wildlife. It proposes that Hawaii benefit from New Zealand's successful models for managing pests, creating protected sanctuaries, and restoring ecosystems. The resolution directs copies to the Governor, New Zealand's Consul General, and state business and tourism officials to facilitate potential collaboration.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill promotes sister state relationship to advance biosecurity, conservation, and endangered species protection through knowledge sharing and partnership.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

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signed · Hawaii · Senate May 12, 2026

SCR 173: CONVENING A TASK FORCE TO ADDRESS EVENT TICKET SCALPING IN HAWAII.

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.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill mandates assessment of jug line fishing impacts on endangered species and marine debris, aiming to strengthen environmental protections through potential regulatory action.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

passed both · Hawaii · Senate May 12, 2026

SCR 40: URGING THE COUNTY OF HAWAII AND CITY AND COUNTY OF HONOLULU TO ADOPT ORDINANCES BANNING THE SALE, RENTAL, AND DISTRIBUTION OF DISPOSABLE BODYBOARDS.

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.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill aims to reduce plastic pollution in marine ecosystems by banning disposable bodyboards made from polystyrene foam, directly protecting the environment.92% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

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signed · Hawaii · Senate May 12, 2026

SCR 100: CONVENING A WORKING GROUP TO ESTABLISH A NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION RECOGNIZED BY THE STATE TO SUPPORT SANCTUARIES AND OTHER CONSERVATION-RELATED INITIATIVES FOR ENDANGERED AND OTHER SPECIES.

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.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill establishes working group to develop nonprofit organization for endangered species sanctuaries and conservation initiatives, directly supporting environmental protection and conservation efforts.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

passed both · Hawaii · Senate May 12, 2026

SCR 179: URGING THE COUNTY OF MAUI TO ENFORCE THE PROVISIONS OF THE FIRE CODE OF THE COUNTY OF MAUI RELATING TO FIRE HAZARDS, BRUSH CLEARANCE, FUEL BREAKS, ROADSIDE VEGETATION CLEARING, AND EMERGENCY ACCESS.

This Senate Concurrent Resolution urges the County of Maui to actively enforce existing fire code provisions related to vegetation management and fire safety. The bill directly affects property owners, large landowners, and residents in West Maui, particularly those living in temporary housing areas or near major evacuation routes. Key provisions include maintaining brush clearance of 30 to 100 feet from structures, clearing vegetation to less than 18 inches on smaller lots, creating fuel breaks on larger properties, and removing combustible vegetation along roadsides to ensure emergency access. The resolution specifically asks the county to prioritize enforcement on large parcels, areas near residential communities and survivor housing, and locations bordering evacuation corridors, using available tools like inspections, citations, and abatement orders to ensure compliance.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill strengthens fire safety regulations and vegetation management to reduce wildfire risk, protecting natural resources and communities from environmental hazards.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

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passed both · Hawaii · Senate May 12, 2026

SCR 32: REQUESTING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A MARINE LIFE CONSERVATION DISTRICT CARRYING CAPACITY STUDY TASK FORCE TO DEVELOP A STATEWIDE IMPLEMENTATION PLAN.

This Senate Concurrent Resolution requests the creation of a task force to develop a statewide plan for studying how many people can use Hawaii's marine life conservation districts without harming the ecosystems. The task force will be made up of representatives from state agencies, county governments, universities, community groups, and commercial ocean recreation operators. Its main job is to design a framework for carrying capacity studies, prioritize which districts to study first, set standards for how studies are conducted, and identify the funding and staffing needed to implement the program. The task force must submit its findings and recommendations to the legislature by the end of 2026, which may include proposed legislation to officially establish the statewide program.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill creates task force to study marine conservation district carrying capacity, aiming to protect ecosystems from overuse and strengthen environmental conservation efforts.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

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