Environment

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 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 1948: RELATING TO SINGLE-USE PLASTICS.

Prohibits lodging establishments from providing personal care products in small plastic containers within sleeping room accommodations, any space within sleeping room accommodations, or bathrooms used by the public or guests. Establishes civil penalties. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentProhibits single-use plastic containers in lodging, reducing plastic pollution and aligning with environmental protection goals.95% 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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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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passed · Hawaii · House Mar 10, 2026

HB 1925: RELATING TO CLIMATE EDUCATION.

Authorizes the Department of Education to establish a climate literacy certificate program to provide students with an advanced understanding of climate change through academic coursework and hands-on learning. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates climate literacy certificate program enhancing curriculum and student learning within education system, advancing educational access and curriculum development.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill mandates climate literacy education program to advance student understanding of climate change, directly promoting environmental awareness and education as per topic indicators.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

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passed · Hawaii · House Mar 10, 2026

HB 1650: RELATING TO ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENTS.

HB 1650 removes the requirement for environmental assessments under Hawaii Revised Statutes §343-5 for proposed actions within the Waikiki special district. This change directly affects developers and projects in Waikiki by exempting them from the standard environmental review process. The bill’s key provision eliminates the need for these assessments, effective July 1, 3000. This is a specific regulatory change targeting projects in that designated area only.

Topics ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentRemoves mandatory environmental assessments for Waikiki projects, weakening regulatory oversight and prioritizing development over environmental review per bill's explicit language.92% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Environment

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in committee · Hawaii · House Feb 25, 2026

HB 1652: RELATING TO STORMWATER MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS.

Exempts agricultural infrastructure and low-risk green stormwater infrastructure from regulations covering retention ponds. Defines agricultural infrastructure and low-risk green stormwater infrastructure. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentExempts agricultural ponds and green infrastructure from stormwater regulations, reducing regulatory oversight on environmental management systems.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Environment

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