Environment (Drinking Water)

in committee · Hawaii · Senate Jan 28, 2026

SB 2415: RELATING TO MICROPLASTICS.

Requires the Department of Health to establish a pilot project to test the drinking water at 4 public elementary schools for microplastics and to post the results on its website by 12/31/2026. Dissolves the pilot project on an unspecified date. Appropriates moneys.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentTests microplastics in school drinking water (a pollution control measure) and appropriates funds for monitoring, directly addressing environmental contamination.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Drinking Water Recycling

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in committee · Hawaii · Senate Jan 21, 2026

SB 1239: RELATING TO WATER CONSERVATION.

SB 1239 prohibits using drinkable water (potable water) for irrigating golf courses, primarily affecting municipal golf courses that rely on public water systems. The bill includes limited exceptions for specific situations but does not detail them in the abstract. It also defines "potable water" to clarify which water sources are restricted. This policy aims to conserve municipal drinking water resources by requiring alternative water sources for irrigation.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentProhibits potable water use for golf course irrigation, mandating alternative sources to conserve municipal drinking water resources, directly advancing water conservation.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Drinking Water Water Quality

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in committee · Hawaii · Senate Feb 3, 2026

SB 2971: RELATING TO WATER STANDARDS.

By 1/1/2040, requires all municipal wastewater treatment facilities owned by a State or county agency to meet state R-1 water standards. Requires the Department of Health to adopt five-year benchmarks to ensure compliance with state R-1 water standards. Requires the Legislature to appropriate sufficient funds. Appropriates funds.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill explicitly requires Legislature to appropriate funds for wastewater compliance and specifies funding allocation, directly advancing budgetary support for public infrastructure.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentMandates stricter wastewater standards (R-1) by 2040 with funding, directly strengthening water pollution controls and environmental protection.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Drinking Water Water Quality

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in committee · Hawaii · House Feb 5, 2026

HB 2232: RELATING TO CLEAN WATER.

Preserves, as state law, water quality, permitting, and aquatic resource protections that are at least as protective as federal Clean Water Act regulations and standards in effect as of January 1, 2026, and ensures their continued applicability regardless of subsequent federal amendments, repeals, or reductions.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentPreserves state water protections at federal 2026 standards, preventing federal rollbacks. Explicitly strengthens environmental safeguards per bill language.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Drinking Water Water Quality

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in committee · Hawaii · Senate Jan 28, 2026

SB 2490: RELATING TO ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION.

SB 2490 prohibits the manufacture and sale of surfboard wax containing perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), which are environmentally persistent chemicals. It directly affects surfboard wax manufacturers and retailers within the state. The bill's key provision bans these specific chemicals in surfboard wax products, aiming to reduce environmental contamination. This policy change targets a common source of PFAS pollution in coastal areas without restricting other uses of the chemicals.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBans PFAS in surfboard wax to reduce coastal pollution, directly protecting environment from persistent chemicals per bill summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Coastal & Flood Protection Drinking Water Recycling

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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

Sub-Topics Drinking Water

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in committee · Hawaii · Senate Jan 21, 2026

SB 550: RELATING TO WATER.

Establishes the Landfill Advisory Committee within the Department of Health. Requires the DOH, in consultation with the Department of Land and Natural Resources and each county's department of board or water supply to create maps of the State's drinking water aquifers. Prohibits the siting, construction, modification, or expansion of any waste or disposal facility for hazardous or solid waste on land that is near or above an aquifer as determined by the DOH in consultation with the affected county's department or board of water supply. Expands buffer zones from one-half mile to one mile around a waste or disposal facility. Establishes penalties. Expands the definition of buffer zone to include aquifers, hotel or tourist accommodations, and businesses.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentProhibits waste facilities near aquifers to prevent water contamination, directly protecting drinking water resources and aligning with environmental protection goals.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Drinking Water Waste Management

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Mar 19, 2026

SB 2096: RELATING TO WASTEWATER MANAGEMENT.

Requires certain wastewater treatment works to test sewage sludge and any other residual material intended for land application for the presence of PFAS. Requires the Director of Health to adopt rules for the monitoring, sampling, testing, and data collection of sewage sludge and other residual material at wastewater treatment works that contain PFAS. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRequires PFAS testing in wastewater sludge and prohibits land application to prevent environmental contamination, strengthening pollution control regulations.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Drinking Water Water Quality

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