Environment

passed · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 391: RELATING TO RECYCLING.

SB 391 establishes a working group to develop a management plan for end-of-life lithium-ion batteries (used in devices like phones and electric vehicles), directly affecting battery recyclers, manufacturers, and waste management entities. The working group will create a report for the Legislature by January 2026, outlining strategies for safe collection, recycling, and disposal of these batteries. The bill does not impose new regulations but sets up a process to address growing battery waste challenges. It is currently pending committee review and has not yet become law. The effective date (1/1/2026) applies to the report submission, not the bill's implementation.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill creates working group to develop battery recycling management plan, directly addressing end-of-life waste pollution and promoting safe disposal strategies for environmental protection.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

Track

passed · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 586: RELATING TO CLIMATE CHANGE.

Requires the counties to upgrade to zero emission buses by 2045. Requires the state agencies to prioritize zero emission buses in the procurement policy for purchasing or leasing motor vehicles. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyMandates zero-emission bus adoption by 2045, reducing fossil fuel dependence and advancing clean energy infrastructure in transportation.90% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentMandates zero-emission buses for counties and state agencies by 2045, directly reducing transportation emissions and advancing climate action per bill's climate change focus.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationMandates zero-emission bus procurement for mass transit, directly advancing sustainable transportation infrastructure per bill's requirements.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

Track

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

Track

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

Track

passed · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 1092: RELATING TO TRANSPORTATION DEMAND MANAGEMENT.

Requires the Department of Accounting and General Services and Department of Transportation to develop a plan for a Comprehensive Transportation Demand Management Program to reduce vehicle emissions and miles traveled by single-occupancy vehicles. Establishes two permanent full-time equivalent (2.0 FTE) co-administrator positions, one in the Department of Accounting and General Services and one in the Department of Transportation. Requires a report to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. Effective 1/1/2491. (SD1)

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill mandates plan to reduce vehicle emissions and miles traveled, directly addressing pollution control and climate change through transportation demand management.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill mandates funding and planning for a Transportation Demand Management Program to reduce emissions and single-occupancy vehicle use, directly promoting sustainable transportation.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

Track

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

Track

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

Track

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

Track

passed · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 52: RELATING TO CARBON OFFSETS.

Requires the Department of Transportation to assist and enable a person to voluntarily purchase a verified carbon offset for carbon dioxide emissions resulting from the person's air travel to or from an airport in the State. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyRequires verified carbon offsets for air travel emissions, advancing climate goals and reducing fossil fuel dependence through market-based emissions mitigation.90% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRequires verified carbon offsets for air travel emissions, directly reducing net carbon footprint and aligning with climate protection goals.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

Track

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

Track