Environment

passed · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 446: RELATING TO WASTE MANAGEMENT.

Beginning 7/1/2025, prohibits the construction, modification, or expansion of a landfill unit or any component of a landfill unit mauka of the underground injection control line without first establishing a buffer zone of not less than one-quarter mile around the landfill unit. Prohibits the utilization of fly ash, bottom ash, or a combination of fly and bottom ash from a municipal waste combustor, including any ash residue that remains after removal of metals for recycling into new metal products, for the purposes of road building, construction, or as alternative daily cover material on a landfill. Effective 12/31/2050. (SD2)

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentProhibits landfill expansion near aquifers and bans ash use, preventing pollution and protecting water resources per environmental protection focus.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 352: RELATING TO PESTICIDES.

Requires the Department of Agriculture to use consistent units of measurement in its summary to the public on the amounts of restricted use pesticides applied. Establishes a one-half mile buffer zone for pesticides around schools during normal school hours and state and county public parks. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD2)

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentEstablishes pesticide buffer zones around schools/parks to limit environmental exposure and reduce pollution near sensitive areas, aligning with pollution control and conservation.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 448: RELATING TO AGRICULTURE.

Appropriates funds to the Agribusiness Development Corporation to acquire a conservation easement on agricultural lands in Central Oahu. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentFunds conservation easement for agricultural lands, directly advancing environmental conservation through land preservation and protection.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 329: RELATING TO WATER POLLUTION.

Requires at least fifty per cent of treatment works effluent to be R-1 recycled water by January 1, 2045. Requires each county to report to the Department of Health by 1/1/2027 on the feasibility of recycling treatment works effluent that meets certain standards. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRequires 50% recycled water effluent by 2045 to reduce water pollution, directly advancing environmental protection through pollution control and conservation measures.92% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

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passed both · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 252: RELATING TO INVASIVE SPECIES.

Clarifies that the importation of any pest or material infested or infected with an insect or other animal, disease, or pest is prohibited. Authorizes the Department of Agriculture to administratively inspect any article imported or moved into the State from the continental United States or between the Hawaiian Islands. Prohibits the sale, barter, or donation of items or material that is a pest, is infested or infected with a pest, or prohibited from being sold. Authorizes the Department of Agriculture to compel the quarantine, treatment, or destruction of certain materials. Clarifies penalties for various quarantine and import law violations, based in part on whether violations were knowingly committed. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentProhibits importation/sale of invasive species and authorizes inspections to protect ecosystems, directly advancing environmental conservation goals.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

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passed both · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 746: RELATING TO INVASIVE SPECIES.

Establishes a two-year coconut rhinoceros beetle eradication pilot program in certain areas under the Department of Land and Natural Resources that incentivizes community members to collect and submit the coconut rhinoceros beetle and its larvae for compensation. Requires a report to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill establishes invasive species eradication program to protect ecosystems, funds community efforts against coconut rhinoceros beetle, directly aligns with environmental conservation goals.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 841: RELATING TO MARINE LIFE CONSERVATION DISTRICTS.

Requires the Department of Land and Natural Resources to establish and conduct a Marine Life Conservation District Carrying Capacity Program. Requires the Department of Land and Natural Resources to submit a report to the Legislature and adopt administrative rules. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill mandates DLNR to establish Marine Life Conservation Districts program with funding and carrying capacity rules, directly protecting marine ecosystems through conservation and management.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 103: RELATING TO ELECTRIC VEHICLE BATTERIES.

Establishes a two-year Electric Vehicle Battery Recycling and Reuse Working Group within the Hawaii State Energy Office. Requires the working group to examine how to maximize the recycling and reuse of electric vehicle batteries and recommend electric vehicle battery management practices. Requires a report to the Legislature. (SD1)

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyPromotes EV battery recycling/reuse, supporting clean energy infrastructure and sustainable EV adoption, aligning with renewable energy goals.85% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill establishes a working group to maximize EV battery recycling/reuse, reducing waste and environmental impact while supporting clean energy infrastructure transition.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 11: RELATING TO VEGETATION MANAGEMENT NEAR UTILITY LINES.

Requires the Department of Land and Natural Resources to create and annually update a wildfire hazard map. Requires private and public property owners to trim grasses within certain proximities of public rights of way and utility lines, enforced by the State Fire Marshal as to State-owned land and the applicable county fire department as to privately owned land. Authorizes electric utility companies to enter private or public property to trim or remove hazardous vegetation. Appropriates funds. Effective 6/1/2050. (SD2)

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill mandates vegetation management near utility lines to reduce wildfire risks, protecting natural resources and ecosystems through hazard mapping and property owner obligations.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 1559: RELATING TO DUNE RESTORATION.

SB 1559 appropriates funds to the University of Hawaii Sea Grant College Program for dune restoration work at Hanakaoo Beach Park. The bill directly affects the Hanakaoo Beach Park area by providing dedicated funding for ecological restoration efforts. Key provisions include allocating state funds specifically for the University of Hawaii Sea Grant program to implement dune restoration, with the measure becoming effective July 31, 2050. This is a funding bill focused on environmental restoration, not a policy change affecting broader populations or regulations.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentFunds dune restoration at Hanakaoo Beach Park, directly supporting ecological conservation and habitat protection through dedicated state appropriations.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

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