Environment

signed · Hawaii · Senate Jun 24, 2026

SB 2983: RELATING TO NATURAL RESOURCES.

SB 2983 makes damaging or destroying trees on state or county property a misdemeanor offense. It directly affects individuals who intentionally harm trees in public spaces like parks, roadsides, or government land. The bill establishes a new criminal penalty for this action, treating it as a misdemeanor rather than a civil violation. This changes the legal consequence for tree destruction on public land, creating a clear criminal pathway for enforcement.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill criminalizes tree destruction on public land, strengthening conservation enforcement and protecting natural resources as direct environmental protection.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

signed · Hawaii · Senate Jun 9, 2026

SB 3136: RELATING TO LEAD MATERIALS IN WATER INFRASTRUCTURE.

Amends prohibitions on the use of lead materials in drinking water distribution to align with the Safe Drinking Water Act and related Code of Federal Regulations. (CD1)

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentAmends prohibitions on lead in water infrastructure to align with federal safety standards, reducing lead pollution in drinking water and protecting public health/environment.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcarePrevents lead exposure in drinking water, a public health hazard, aligning with federal health regulations to protect community health and safety.92% 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

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passed · Hawaii · Senate May 12, 2026

SR 77: REQUESTING ALL STATE AGENCIES TO UTILIZE BI-LEVEL LIGHTING SYSTEMS IN ALL STATE BUILDINGS AND FACILITIES, THE DESIGN OF WHICH IS FINALIZED ON OR AFTER JANUARY 1, 2028.

This Senate Resolution asks state agencies to use bi-level lighting systems in all new state buildings starting January 1, 2027. Bi-level lighting adjusts brightness based on motion detection to reduce energy waste from lights staying on at full intensity. The resolution directs copies to various state officials and agencies responsible for construction and facility management. This measure aims to promote energy efficiency and reduce environmental impact through a specific building design requirement.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill promotes energy efficiency through bi-level lighting systems, reducing long-term operational costs and supporting fiscal responsibility in state budget management.85% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill mandates bi-level lighting systems to reduce energy waste and promote energy efficiency in state buildings.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill mandates bi-level lighting systems to reduce energy waste, directly promoting energy efficiency and reducing environmental impact through conservation measures.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

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passed · Hawaii · Senate May 12, 2026

SR 31: REQUESTING CERTAIN STATE AND COUNTY AGENCIES, IN COORDINATION WITH COMMUNITY-BASED ORGANIZATIONS, TO DEVELOP A COMPREHENSIVE STATEWIDE FOOD SECURITY STRATEGY.

This Senate Resolution requests state and county agencies to work with community organizations to create a comprehensive statewide food security strategy. The bill aims to address food insecurity, which currently affects about 32% of households in Hawaii, with higher rates among families with children and marginalized communities. The proposed strategy must be data-driven and equity-focused, requiring agencies to assess barriers to food access, analyze trends like climate change impacts, and recommend policies to reduce food costs while supporting local agriculture. Participating agencies must submit a report with findings and recommendations to the Legislature by the end of 2026 to inform future policy and funding decisions.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill addresses climate change impacts on food security and promotes sustainable food systems through data-driven strategy, indirectly supporting environmental protection.65% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

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passed · Hawaii · Senate May 12, 2026

SR 134: URGING THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH TO MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS ON THE ESTABLISHMENT OF DUST MONITORING STATIONS IN AND AROUND WAIMANALO GULCH TO PROTECT PUBLIC HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY.

This Senate resolution asks the Hawaii State Department of Health to set up dust monitoring stations in and around Waimanalo Gulch, where a sanitary landfill is located, to measure airborne particles that could affect public health. The bill directs the department to install devices that track fine and coarse particulate matter, share real-time data with the public, and create a plan to notify residents if pollution levels become unsafe. It also requires the department to submit a detailed report to the Legislature within 20 days before the 2027 session, outlining the stations' locations, detected contaminants, potential health risks, and recommended mitigation strategies. The resolution involves coordination between the state health department, the City and County of Honolulu, and other relevant agencies to address air quality concerns in the area.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill establishes dust monitoring stations to protect public health and environmental quality by tracking pollution from a landfill, directly supporting environmental protection and pollution control.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

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passed · Hawaii · Senate May 12, 2026

SR 29: ESTABLISHING THE MATTRESS STEWARDSHIP PROGRAM DESIGN WORKING GROUP TO STUDY, EVALUATE, AND MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS ON THE STRUCTURE AND IMPLEMENTATION OF A STATEWIDE MATTRESS STEWARDSHIP PROGRAM.

This bill establishes a joint legislative working group to study and design a statewide mattress stewardship program aimed at reducing landfill waste from discarded mattresses and box springs. The working group will include representatives from state agencies, county governments, mattress industry stakeholders, environmental organizations, and consumer advocates to develop recommendations on program structure, funding, and implementation. The group is tasked with evaluating extended producer responsibility models, collection systems, recycling pathways, and consumer protections, and must submit its findings and proposed legislation to the Legislature by the start of the 2027 session.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill establishes mattress stewardship program to reduce landfill waste, directly supporting environmental protection and waste reduction goals.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

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passed both · Hawaii · House May 8, 2026

HCR 33: ENCOURAGING HAWAIʻI COUNTY, IN COLLABORATION WITH THE PUAKŌ COMMUNITY, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, UNIVERSITY OF HAWAIʻI AT HILO, AND OTHER STAKEHOLDERS, TO COMPLETE THE PUAKŌ SEWAGE PROJECT.

This bill encourages Hawaii County to work with the Puako community, the Department of Health, and other partners to finish the Puako Sewage Project, which aims to replace aging cesspools with modern wastewater systems. The project combines advanced wastewater collection technology with fiber optic internet infrastructure to address both environmental pollution and the digital divide in rural areas. By using a public-private partnership model, the initiative seeks to create a replicable solution that can help other communities across Hawaii tackle similar sewage challenges while restoring local coral reefs.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill directly addresses environmental pollution by replacing aging cesspools with modern wastewater systems to protect Puako Reef and reduce sewage contamination.90% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill explicitly integrates fiber optic internet infrastructure into sewage project to address digital divide, advancing technology access in rural areas85% confidence | Rep's Stance Voted absent

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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

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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

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