Environment

passed both · Hawaii · Senate Apr 23, 2026

SB 2363: RELATING TO THE COUNTIES.

Authorizes the counties to close or restrict public lands under the county's jurisdiction when necessary to protect public health, ensure public safety, or preserve natural or cultural resources. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill authorizes county closures to preserve natural resources, directly aligning with conservation and environmental protection goals.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

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passed both · Hawaii · House Apr 21, 2026

HB 1553: RELATING TO HABITAT CONSERVATION PLANS.

Requires any existing habitat conservation plan that does not include an agreement for emergency medical and rehabilitation services for affected native wildlife to be amended to include the services in the agreement. Effective 1/1/3000. (SD1)

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentMandates habitat conservation plans and wildlife rehab agreements for golf courses, strengthening habitat protection and native species conservation per bill requirements.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

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passed both · Hawaii · House Apr 21, 2026

HB 2599: RELATING TO AQUATIC PROTECTION.

Requires the Division of Aquatic Resources of the Department of Land and Natural Resources to: manage the aquatic life and aquatic resources of the State, giving the highest priority to protecting, restoring, and maintaining ecosystem integrity and using the best peer-reviewed scientific data available; maintain reefs and each native species within them at levels no less than the best peer-reviewed science suggests is able to comfortably withstand the worst coral bleaching events and other likely threats to reef ecosystem health in the subsequent five decades; and set goals, make plans, and take action to substantially increase coral-reef resilience with annual reports to the Legislature. (SD1)

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill mandates prioritizing ecosystem protection, restoring coral reefs, and using scientific data for aquatic resource management, directly advancing environmental conservation.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

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passed both · Hawaii · Senate Apr 20, 2026

SCR 118: URGING THE INSURANCE DIVISION OF THE DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE AND CONSUMER AFFAIRS 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 Concurrent Resolution urges Hawaii state agencies to form a working group to explore ways to protect residents from climate change impacts on insurance availability and costs. The bill directs the Insurance Division and Attorney General to assess insurance exposure to extreme weather, identify recovery mechanisms, and analyze legal options to seek financial recovery from responsible parties like fossil fuel companies. The proposed working group would include state officials, legislators, and representatives from insurance and relief funds to develop practical solutions for maintaining affordable property coverage.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill addresses climate change impacts on insurance, which indirectly supports renewable energy and clean energy policies by seeking accountability from fossil fuel companies and protecting residents from climate-related risks.75% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill establishes working group to address climate change impacts on insurance and explore legal options for recovery from fossil fuel companies, indicating support for environmental protection efforts.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

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passed both · Hawaii · Senate Apr 20, 2026

SB 2376: RELATING TO THE RENEWABLE FUELS PRODUCTION TAX CREDIT.

Expands the provisions of the renewable fuels production tax credit. Applies to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2025. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill clarifies and expands eligibility for renewable fuels tax credit, creating tax incentives for qualifying producers within the state.90% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyClarifies in-state renewable fuels production eligibility for tax credit, extending incentives to promote local renewable energy development.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentProvides tax incentives for in-state renewable fuel production, promoting clean energy adoption and reducing fossil fuel reliance per bill's tax credit provisions.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

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passed both · Hawaii · House Apr 20, 2026

HB 1619: 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. 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. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyExcludes EV charging infrastructure from development restrictions and mandates PUC planning for zero-emission transportation goals, advancing clean energy infrastructure and reducing fossil fuel dependence.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentPromotes EV infrastructure expansion to meet zero-emission transportation goals, reducing vehicle emissions and supporting environmental protection.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationExcludes EV charging infrastructure from development restrictions in special areas and mandates PUC involvement in zero-emission transportation planning, directly advancing sustainable transportation infrastructure goals.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

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passed both · Hawaii · House Apr 17, 2026

HB 86: RELATING TO THE DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES.

Appropriates moneys to the Department of Land and Natural Resources for the establishment of full-time equivalent permanent Makai Watch Coordinator positions. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentFunds full-time Makai Watch Coordinators for marine resource management under DLNR, directly advancing marine conservation and protection efforts.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

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passed both · Hawaii · Senate Apr 17, 2026

SB 657: RELATING TO THE CENTER FOR CLIMATE RESILIENT DEVELOPMENT.

Appropriates funds for the School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology within the University of Hawaii at Manoa to establish and operate a Center for Climate Resilient Development. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationAppropriates funds to establish a university center, directly funding higher education infrastructure per bill's summary.90% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentAppropriates funds to establish a climate resilience center focused on climate change adaptation, directly advancing environmental protection efforts through dedicated funding and research.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

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passed both · Hawaii · Senate Apr 17, 2026

SB 1120: RELATING TO TRANSPORTATION.

Requires the Department of Transportation to conduct a feasibility study on implementing a clean fuel standard for alternative fuels in the State. Requires, no later than 1/1/2028, the Department of Transportation to adopt rules governing a clean fuel standard for alternative fuels in the State. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyRequires DOT to study and adopt clean fuel standard for alternative fuels, promoting renewable energy infrastructure and reducing fossil fuel dependence per bill's mandate.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRequires clean fuel standard feasibility study and rules adoption, targeting greenhouse gas reduction through alternative fuels95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationRequires DOT feasibility study and rules for clean fuel standard, promoting sustainable transportation through alternative fuels and greenhouse gas reduction.92% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

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passed both · Hawaii · Senate Apr 17, 2026

SB 438: RELATING TO WASTE DISPOSAL FACILITIES.

Prohibits landfill units on land in an agricultural district with class A soils. Beginning 7/1/2025, narrows the prohibition on constructing, modifying, or expanding waste or disposal facilities within a one-half mile buffer zone of residential, school, or hospital property lines to apply specifically to landfill units or components of landfill units. Beginning 7/1/2025, prohibits the construction, modification, or expansion of a landfill unit, or any component of a landfill unit, inland of an underground injection control line in a county with a population greater than five hundred thousand, with certain exemptions. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD3)

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill prohibits landfills in agricultural districts with class A soils and near sensitive areas (schools/hospitals), protecting soil quality and preventing pollution near communities.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

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