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 111: URGING THE INSURANCE DIVISION OF THE DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE AND CONSUMER AFFAIRS AND DEPARTMENT OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL TO CONVENE A WORKING GROUP TO IDENTIFY FEASIBLE OPTIONS AND MECHANISMS TO PROTECT THE STATE AND ITS RESIDENTS AGAINST THE EFFECTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE ON THE AVAILABILITY AND AFFORDABILITY OF INSURANCE.

This Senate Resolution urges Hawaii state agencies to form a working group aimed at addressing how climate change is affecting insurance availability and costs for residents. The proposed group would include officials from the Insurance Division, Attorney General, and various legislative committees to study insurance risks from extreme weather events. Key tasks include evaluating current recovery options and exploring legal strategies to seek financial compensation from fossil fuel companies, which the resolution identifies as responsible for climate-related damages. The measure focuses on protecting state resources and ensuring affordable insurance coverage without mandating specific policy changes or taking a stance on liability.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill addresses climate change impacts on insurance, promoting adaptation and potential legal action against fossil fuel companies to protect residents from environmental harm.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

Track

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

Track

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

Track

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

Track

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

Track

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

Track

passed both · Hawaii · House Apr 27, 2026

HCR 166: REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES TO IDENTIFY STATE LANDS IN EAST OAHU SUITABLE FOR THE PLANTING OF NATIVE HAWAIIAN TREES.

This House Concurrent Resolution requests the Department of Land and Natural Resources to identify state-owned lands in East Oahu suitable for planting native Hawaiian trees, including the culturally significant milo tree. The measure directs the department to consider opportunities for schools, community groups, and youth participants while preparing a report with potential locations and implementation considerations for the Legislature by the end of 2026. The resolution also mandates sending copies to the Board of Land and Natural Resources, the department director, and the principal of Hahaione Elementary School, which was the source of the original idea.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill directs state lands to be identified for planting native trees with explicit consideration for schools, community groups, and youth participants, enhancing educational and environmental programs.75% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill promotes planting native Hawaiian trees to restore natural habitats and conserve biodiversity, directly supporting environmental protection and conservation efforts.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

Track

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

Track

passed · Hawaii · House Apr 23, 2026

HCR 202: ESTABLISHING THE LEGISLATIVE TASK FORCE ON HAWAII'S FUTURE ENERGY PATHWAYS TO EXAMINE STRATEGIES TO MAXIMIZE COST SAVINGS WHILE MINIMIZING RISK TO RATEPAYERS OVER THE NEXT THREE DECADES AND ACHIEVING THE STATE'S ENERGY GOALS AND PRODUCING AFFORDABLE, RELIABLE, RESILIENT, AND DECARBONIZED ENERGY.

This bill establishes a Legislative Task Force on Hawaii's Future Energy Pathways to examine strategies for transitioning the state's energy system over the next three decades. The task force will evaluate options for integrating renewable energy and distributed resources into the grid, assess risks and costs associated with fossil fuel investments, and consider lessons from other jurisdictions making similar transitions. The committee will include representatives from the House energy committee, the Senate, and the Hawaii State Energy Office to provide recommendations on achieving affordable, reliable, and decarbonized energy while protecting ratepayers.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill establishes task force to examine renewable energy integration, maximize cost savings, and achieve decarbonized energy goals while protecting ratepayers95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill establishes task force to examine renewable energy integration and decarbonization strategies, directly advancing environmental protection and climate goals.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

Track