Environment

passed · Hawaii · Senate Feb 20, 2026

SB 1178: RELATING TO CARBON SEQUESTRATION INCENTIVES.

SB 1178 makes Hawaii’s Carbon Smart Land Management Assistance Program permanent, providing ongoing state support for landowners who manage forests, agricultural land, or other natural areas to absorb carbon dioxide. The program, administered by the Department of Land and Natural Resources, directly benefits landowners by offering technical and financial assistance for practices that enhance carbon sequestration. This bill codifies existing temporary support into law, ensuring consistent funding and guidance for climate-friendly land management without creating new requirements or altering current eligibility rules.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentMakes carbon sequestration program permanent, providing financial/technical support for landowners to absorb CO2, directly advancing climate mitigation.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Feb 20, 2026

SB 2019: RELATING TO THE TRANSFER OF NON-AGRICULTURAL PARK LANDS.

Requires the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity to accept the transfer of and manage certain qualifying non-agricultural park lands. Authorizes the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity to request information related to easements prior to any transfer of certain qualifying non-agricultural park lands. Requires the Department of Land and Natural Resources to obtain approval from the Board of Land and Natural Resources and Board of Agriculture and Biosecurity before pasture lands are removed for reforestation or other public purposes. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill manages non-agricultural park lands requiring action plans to prevent removal of pasture lands, supporting conservation of protected natural areas.80% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Feb 20, 2026

SB 2048: RELATING TO INVASIVE SPECIES.

Prohibits the sale, barter, or donation of any pest-infested item or material. Authorizes the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity to quarantine, treat, or destroy pest-infested items or materials. Imposes penalties on individuals who sell, barter, or donate a pest-infested items or materials. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentProhibits sale/barter/donation of pest-infested items to prevent invasive species spread, protecting ecosystems and natural resources per bill's enforcement measures.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Feb 20, 2026

SB 2373: RELATING TO CARBON SEQUESTRATION.

Establishes a state goal to strengthen nature-based carbon emissions reduction solutions. Directs certain state agencies to identify opportunities for investing in nature-based solutions that reduce carbon emissions. Authorizes the Department of Land and Natural Resources to develop methodologies to quantify carbon emissions reductions through marine ecosystem restoration and nature-based solutions. Requires a report to the Legislature. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill establishes state goal for nature-based carbon reduction, directs investment in emissions solutions, and authorizes HSEO to develop methodologies for marine ecosystem restoration, aligning with clean energy infrastructure goals.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill establishes state goal for nature-based carbon reduction, directs investments in marine ecosystem restoration, and authorizes quantification of emissions reductions, directly advancing environmental protection and climate action.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Feb 20, 2026

SB 2374: RELATING TO A BLUE ECONOMY.

Establishes the Blue Economy Working Group to study how to develop and support marine-based economic activities that align with the State's decarbonization and restorative food production goals. Requires a report to the Legislature. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill explicitly ties marine economic activities to decarbonization goals, aligning with energy policies to reduce carbon emissions and promote clean energy infrastructure.85% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill establishes working group to align marine economic activities with decarbonization and marine ecosystem restoration goals, directly advancing environmental protection through climate-aligned economic development.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Feb 20, 2026

SB 2333: RELATING TO NEONICOTINOIDS.

Beginning 1/1/2027, prohibits the sale, possession, or use of a pesticide containing one or more neonicotinoid pesticides, under certain conditions. Requires the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity to evaluate the potential impacts of and adopt any necessary control measures for neonicotinoid pesticide use on pollinating insects, native migratory and resident birds, aquatic organisms, and human health. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentProhibits neonicotinoid pesticides (harmful to pollinators/ecosystems) and mandates environmental impact evaluations per bill summary.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Feb 20, 2026

SB 2310: RELATING TO NATURAL RESOURCES.

SB 2310 allocates state funds to remove overgrown vegetation from Kainahola Stream. This bill directly affects the maintenance and ecological health of Kainahola Stream by authorizing the specific funding for vegetation removal. The key provision is the appropriation of money for this stream cleanup effort, with no additional policy changes or regulations. The bill is currently under review by the AEN/WLA committee, with a public hearing scheduled for February 11, 2026.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates state funds for stream maintenance, directly appropriating budget resources for environmental public service.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill allocates state funds for Kainahola Stream vegetation removal to maintain ecological health, directly supporting conservation and pollution control through targeted appropriations.92% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Feb 20, 2026

SB 2426: RELATING TO ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION.

Allows the Department of Land and Natural Resources to contract or form a partnership with private parties to assist with the maintenance and management of sunscreen dispensers at all state beaches, as well as publicize that the mineral-based sunscreen in these dispensers is more protective of the coral reefs of the State. Appropriates funds for the installation, maintenance, management, and operation of non-chemical sunscreen dispensers on all state beaches. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentPromotes reef-safe mineral sunscreen at state beaches to protect coral ecosystems, directly advancing environmental conservation through funding and policy.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Feb 20, 2026

SB 2478: PROPOSING AN AMENDMENT TO ARTICLE I OF THE HAWAII STATE CONSTITUTION TO RECOGNIZE AND PROTECT THE INHERENT AND INALIENABLE RIGHT OF ALL PEOPLE TO CLEAN WATER AND AIR, A HEALTHFUL ENVIRONMENT AND CLIMATE AND HEALTHY NATIVE ECOSYSTEMS AND BEACHES.

Proposes a constitutional amendment to ensure that the inherent and inalienable right of the people, including future generations, to clean water and air, a healthful environment and climate and healthy native ecosystems and beaches, shall be protected and shall not be infringed. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentConstitutional amendment explicitly protects clean water, air, ecosystems, and climate rights, directly advancing environmental protections per bill text.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Feb 20, 2026

SB 2488: RELATING TO THE HAWAII INVASIVE SPECIES COUNCIL.

Establishes the position of the Hawaii Invasive Species Council Executive Director. Appropriates funds to the Department of Land and Natural Resources, rather than the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity, for the HISC for fiscal year 2026-2027. Requires a report to the Legislature. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill appropriates funds to DLNR for HISC, explicitly allocating budget resources for a specific program. This funds a program, aligning with 'funds essential programs' under Budget & Taxes.90% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill appropriates funds to DLNR for Hawaii Invasive Species Council (HISC) to manage invasive species, directly protecting native ecosystems and conservation efforts.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

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