Environment

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 · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 674: RELATING TO THE ENVIRONMENT.

Requires the Department of Health to conduct a statewide needs assessment to determine what will be needed to reduce waste generation, increase reuse, improve recycling collection services, and expand local processing of materials through an extended producer responsibility program for packaging materials and paper products. Requires the Department of Health to complete and submit the needs assessment to the Legislature no later than 12/31/2028. Establishes an advisory council to review the draft needs assessment and propose recommendations throughout the assessment process. Appropriates funds. Effective 12/31/2050. (SD1)

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRequires extended producer responsibility for packaging waste, mandates waste reduction assessment, and promotes recycling improvements to strengthen environmental protections.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 1439: RELATING TO NUISANCES.

Clarifies that the Department of Health has the legal authority and obligation to prevent and address nuisances that affect environmental health or public health, or both. (SD1)

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentClarifies DOH authority to address environmental health nuisances, strengthening regulatory capacity for pollution prevention and public health protection.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareClarifies DOH's authority to address public health nuisances, strengthening enforcement of health protections under public health programs.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 639: RELATING TO UNDERGROUND STORAGE TANKS.

Requires an owner or operator of an underground storage tank or tank system with a confirmed release to meet certain standards for the restoration of the environment. Establishes a rebuttable presumption that any detection of these contaminants in the vicinity of an underground storage tank or a tank system after a confirmed release is a result of the confirmed release. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentMandates environmental restoration standards after tank releases, directly addressing contamination and water quality protection per bill's requirements.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 984: RELATING TO WATER POLLUTION.

Requires a landowner in possession of ten thousand or more acres in the State to be liable for damages and fines arising from runoff originating on the land and entering into state waters. Requires the Department of Health to prioritize enforcement of water pollution control regulations in rural areas where there are existing reports of runoff and other terms of water pollution. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRequires landowners to pay damages/fines for runoff pollution, mandates DOH enforcement in rural areas with runoff reports - strengthens water pollution control regulations.92% 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 501: RELATING TO CESSPOOLS.

Requires the Department of Health, to the extent allowable under federal law, to prioritize the use of Water Pollution Control Revolving Fund moneys for projects by homeowners to upgrade cesspools to director-approved wastewater systems or connect homeowners' properties to sewerage systems, including projects for the installation of cluster systems or community package plants. Effective 12/31/2050. (SD1)

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill mandates cesspool upgrades to prevent groundwater pollution using water pollution funds, directly advancing clean water protection and pollution control.85% 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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