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 · Hawaii · Senate May 12, 2026

SR 77: REQUESTING ALL STATE AGENCIES TO UTILIZE BI-LEVEL LIGHTING SYSTEMS IN ALL STATE BUILDINGS AND FACILITIES, THE DESIGN OF WHICH IS FINALIZED ON OR AFTER JANUARY 1, 2028.

This Senate Resolution asks state agencies to use bi-level lighting systems in all new state buildings starting January 1, 2027. Bi-level lighting adjusts brightness based on motion detection to reduce energy waste from lights staying on at full intensity. The resolution directs copies to various state officials and agencies responsible for construction and facility management. This measure aims to promote energy efficiency and reduce environmental impact through a specific building design requirement.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill promotes energy efficiency through bi-level lighting systems, reducing long-term operational costs and supporting fiscal responsibility in state budget management.85% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill mandates bi-level lighting systems to reduce energy waste and promote energy efficiency in state buildings.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill mandates bi-level lighting systems to reduce energy waste, directly promoting energy efficiency and reducing environmental impact through conservation measures.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

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passed · Hawaii · Senate May 12, 2026

SR 31: REQUESTING CERTAIN STATE AND COUNTY AGENCIES, IN COORDINATION WITH COMMUNITY-BASED ORGANIZATIONS, TO DEVELOP A COMPREHENSIVE STATEWIDE FOOD SECURITY STRATEGY.

This Senate Resolution requests state and county agencies to work with community organizations to create a comprehensive statewide food security strategy. The bill aims to address food insecurity, which currently affects about 32% of households in Hawaii, with higher rates among families with children and marginalized communities. The proposed strategy must be data-driven and equity-focused, requiring agencies to assess barriers to food access, analyze trends like climate change impacts, and recommend policies to reduce food costs while supporting local agriculture. Participating agencies must submit a report with findings and recommendations to the Legislature by the end of 2026 to inform future policy and funding decisions.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill addresses climate change impacts on food security and promotes sustainable food systems through data-driven strategy, indirectly supporting environmental protection.65% confidence | Rep's Stance Voted absent

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passed both · Hawaii · House May 1, 2026

HB 2423: RELATING TO BIODIESEL.

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)

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyMandates 5% biodiesel in diesel fuel, promoting renewable energy use and reducing fossil fuel dependence per bill summary.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRequires 5% biodiesel in diesel fuel, reducing emissions and promoting renewable energy per environmental protection indicators.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationMandates 5% biodiesel in on-highway diesel fuel, promoting sustainable transportation fuel standards for vehicles.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

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passed both · Hawaii · Senate May 1, 2026

SB 2110: RELATING TO AGRICULTURE.

Establishes a Conservation Agriculture and Soil Health Incentive Program within the Hawaii Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Commission. Requires an annual report to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentEstablishes conservation program under climate commission, funds soil health initiatives, directly advancing environmental protection and climate mitigation95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

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passed both · Hawaii · Senate May 1, 2026

SB 2095: RELATING TO ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION.

Establishes a PFAS Working Group within the Department of Health to investigate the existence and environmental dangers of per‑ and polyfluoroalkyl substances. Requires reports to the Legislature. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentEstablishes PFAS Working Group to investigate environmental dangers of toxic chemicals, advancing environmental protection through mandated reporting and research.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

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passed both · Hawaii · Senate May 1, 2026

SB 3028: RELATING TO PROPERTY CONVEYANCE.

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)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesRestructures conveyance tax and allocates collections to Land Conservation, Rental Housing, and infrastructure funds, directly funding public programs.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentAllocates conveyance tax to Land Conservation Fund and Special Land Fund for trails/access, directly funding environmental conservation efforts.90% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingAdds Dwelling Unit Revolving Fund for transit-oriented development infrastructure and adjusts tax allocations to Rental Housing Revolving Fund, directly funding housing programs.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationFunds transit-oriented development infrastructure and trail access programs via Special Land Fund and Dwelling Unit Revolving Fund, directly advancing transportation infrastructure funding.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

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passed both · Hawaii · House May 1, 2026

HB 2241: RELATING TO RENEWABLE ENERGY.

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)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesRestricts tax credit for high earners ($250k+ AGI), closing a loophole to target benefits toward lower-income taxpayers per tax policy indicators.92% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyAmends renewable energy tax credit to restrict high-income filers while removing caps, promoting broader solar adoption for eligible taxpayers.85% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill amends tax credits to promote solar energy adoption (removing caps, adjusting eligibility), directly supporting renewable energy deployment per environmental indicators.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

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passed both · Hawaii · Senate Apr 27, 2026

SB 2372: RELATING TO TREES.

Establishes base selection criteria for designating exceptional trees. Establishes the significant tree designation, selection criteria, and related processes. Establishes the State Arborist Advisory Committee within the Department of Land and Natural Resources for administrative purposes. Requires County Arborist Advisory Committees to have at least five members, adopt new exceptional tree selection criteria, and designate significant trees. Directs the Department of Land and Natural Resources and the University of Hawaii to cooperate with State and County Arborist Advisory Committees to carry out the Exceptional Trees Program. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill establishes criteria for significant trees and committees to protect exceptional trees, advancing conservation efforts through designated tree preservation programs.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

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passed both · Hawaii · Senate Apr 27, 2026

SB 3053: RELATING TO NATURAL RESOURCES.

Appropriates moneys to the Department of Health for the development and implementation of the Comprehensive Watershed-based Water Quality Monitoring Pilot Program for the Waikele Watershed. Requires report to the Legislature. Appropriates moneys to the Division of Aquatic Resources of the Department of Land and Natural Resources for mangrove removal and shoreline and stream maintenance in the Nineteenth Senatorial District and nearby areas, including the West Loch and Middle Loch shorelines. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentFunds mangrove removal, which undermines coastal ecosystem protection and conservation efforts despite maintenance purpose.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Environment

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