Environment

passed · Hawaii · Senate Mar 12, 2026

SB 2975: RELATING TO MARINE LIFE CONSERVATION DISTRICTS.

Authorizes the Department of Land and Natural Resources to close all or portions of any marine life conservation district for various periods of time and to adopt rules for the regulation of commercial activity within a marine life conservation district; provided that the marine life conservation district is located on or adjacent to the shores of Oahu. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentAuthorizes closures and regulations to protect marine ecosystems, directly advancing conservation goals within marine life conservation districts.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Environment

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Mar 10, 2026

SB 585: RELATING TO THE ISSUANCE OF SPECIAL PURPOSE REVENUE BONDS TO ASSIST BANA PACIFIC INC.

SB 585 authorizes the issuance of special purpose revenue bonds to fund the construction of a biogas production facility by Bana Pacific Inc. The bill directly affects Bana Pacific Inc. by providing a financing mechanism for their facility, with bonds repaid through the facility's future revenue. Key provisions include enabling the company to borrow funds specifically for this project, backed by the facility's operational income rather than general tax revenue. This policy change creates a dedicated funding stream for the biogas facility without requiring taxpayer money.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyFunds biogas facility (renewable energy infrastructure) via special bonds, directly advancing clean energy development.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentFunds biogas facility, a renewable energy source that reduces emissions and supports clean energy initiatives per bill's focus on biogas production.92% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Mar 10, 2026

SB 3201: RELATING TO CORAL REEF RESILIENCE.

Requires the Division of Aquatic Resources of the Department of Land and Natural Resources to: (1) manage and administer aquatic life and resources, with the highest priority being to protect, restore, and maintain ecosystem integrity, using the best scientific data available; (2) make plans by certain dates for the restoration of reef ecosystems and indigenous species to a level that is not less than an unspecified per cent of their natural biomass potential; and (3) make a plan by 7/1/2027 for the expansion of live coral cover at not less than twenty-five per cent on reefs that have historically supported naturally occurring live coral cover. Requires annual reports to the Legislature. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentMandates protection, restoration, and specific biomass/coral cover targets for reef ecosystems, directly advancing environmental conservation through measurable conservation requirements.92% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Mar 10, 2026

SB 2987: RELATING TO LIGHT POLLUTION.

SB 2987 establishes statewide requirements for outdoor lighting fixtures beginning July 1, 2027. The bill directly affects property owners, businesses, and municipalities that install or maintain outdoor lighting across the state. It mandates specific standards for fixture design and light direction to reduce unnecessary illumination, without specifying exact technical measures in the provided abstract. The legislation aims to address light pollution through standardized outdoor lighting practices.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentMandates outdoor lighting standards to reduce light pollution, a form of environmental pollution control directly aligning with conservation and pollution reduction goals.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Environment

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Mar 10, 2026

SB 3002: RELATING TO THE HAWAII STATE PLANNING ACT.

Establishes green infrastructure objectives, policies, and priority guidelines for state facility systems, infrastructure, and transit projects in the Hawaii State Planning Act to improve the quality of life for residents and visitors. Adds a definition of "green infrastructure". Requires the Office of Planning and Sustainable Development to submit a report to the Legislature making recommendations for implementing green infrastructure objectives, policies, and priority guidelines.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill establishes green infrastructure objectives for state facilities/transit, directly advancing renewable energy infrastructure and efficiency through defined policies and implementation reports.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentEstablishes green infrastructure objectives and policies to improve environmental quality, aligning with conservation and pollution control goals in state planning.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill mandates green infrastructure integration for transit projects in Hawaii State Planning Act, promoting sustainable transportation infrastructure improvements through policy and reporting requirements.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Environment

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Mar 4, 2026

SB 3000: RELATING TO INSURANCE.

Authorizes the Attorney General to bring a civil action in the name of the people of the State as parens patriae against any responsible party to recover certain costs or obtain certain relief, including costs and losses incurred by the Hawaii Hurricane Relief Fund, or other state entities, resulting from climate attributable harm or costs for risk of future climate attributable harm. Authorizes the Hawaii Property Insurance Association and Hawaii Hurricane Relief Fund, or any private insurer licensed in the State to bring a civil cause of action against a responsible party to recover its costs and losses resulting from climate attributable harm. Establishes the Climate Disaster Special Fund to collect and disperse funds collected from certain civil actions to be distributed in a certain order of priority. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentAuthorizes legal action to recover costs from climate attributable harm, directly addressing climate change impacts through state insurance entities and funds.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes 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 absent

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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 2905: RELATING TO ENERGY.

Increases the Environmental Response, Energy, and Food Security Tax and the amount collected from the tax that is deposited into the Electric Vehicle Charging System Subaccount. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesIncreases tax revenue specifically for funding an electric vehicle charging system subaccount, directly advancing fiscal allocation for infrastructure.90% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill increases tax revenue specifically for electric vehicle charging infrastructure, directly funding clean energy infrastructure development.92% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentIncreases tax to fund EV charging infrastructure, promoting clean energy adoption and reducing emissions through dedicated subaccount funding.90% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationFunds electric vehicle charging infrastructure via dedicated tax revenue, directly advancing sustainable transportation infrastructure as a core component of transportation policy.95% confidence | Rep's Stance Voted absent

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Feb 19, 2026

SB 2434: RELATING TO ELECTRIC VEHICLE INFRASTRUCTURE.

Excludes from the definition of "development", as it applies to special management areas, the installation, maintenance, repair, and replacement of an electric vehicle charging system as a minor structure. Includes the Public Utilities Commission in the development and implementation of plans to meet the long-term goals for zero-emissions transportation in the State. (SD1)

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill explicitly promotes EV infrastructure development and includes PUC in achieving zero-emission transportation goals, advancing clean energy infrastructure and reducing fossil fuel dependence.90% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentExcludes EV charging infrastructure from development restrictions in special areas and mandates PUC plans for zero-emission transportation goals, directly advancing pollution reduction and clean energy adoption.92% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationExcludes EV charging systems from development restrictions and mandates PUC planning for zero-emission goals, advancing sustainable transportation infrastructure.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

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