Environment (Public Lands)

signed · Hawaii · House Jul 9, 2026

HB 2218: RELATING TO THE DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES.

Authorizes the Board of Land and Natural Resources to enter into community co-management agreements and establishes qualifications for eligible community co-managers. Authorizes the disposition of public lands by a community co-management agreement. (CD1)

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentAuthorizes community co-management of public lands for sustainable resource stewardship, aligning with conservation goals under DLNR management.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Lands

in committee · Hawaii · Senate Jan 21, 2026

SB 198: RELATING TO PUBLIC LANDS.

Prohibits the State from leasing public lands to or extending the lease of the US Department of Defense or any branch of the US military if the department or branch is noncompliant with any environmental order, consent decree, or memoranda of agreement, or any law, rule, or order on a matter affecting residents' health and safety. Requires Department of Land and Natural Resources to request that the military agree to remediation of existing leased lands prior to the end of the lease term.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRequires military compliance with environmental laws before leasing public lands, mandating remediation to protect residents' health and natural resources.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Lands

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in committee · Hawaii · Senate Jan 30, 2026

SB 2759: RELATING TO PUBLIC LAND DISPOSITIONS.

Requires the Board of Land and Natural Resources to extend the term of all leases of public lands to the United States Military that expire in 2028, 2029, 2030, or 2031 for a period of five years to allow the Military additional time to complete and submit an environmental impact statement for the leased public lands.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRequires military to complete EIS for public lands leases, ensuring environmental review before lease expiration per NEPA standards.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Lands

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in committee · Hawaii · Senate Jan 30, 2026

SB 2758: RELATING TO PUBLIC LAND DISPOSITIONS.

Requires the Board of Land and Natural Resources to consult with the Office of Hawaiian Affairs before approving a long-term lease of public lands to another government, governmental agency, utility, or renewable energy developer. Prohibits the Board from extending leases allowing the live-fire training and bombing of public lands, except for a one-time extension of up to five years to phase out existing leases allowing the live‑fire training and bombing of public lands. Excludes lands set aside to the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands or lands designated for return to the State from the one-time extension.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentProhibits live-fire training/bombing on public lands (harmful to ecosystems) and requires consultation for renewable energy leases, protecting natural resources and reducing environmental damage.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Lands

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in committee · Hawaii · Senate Jan 30, 2026

SB 2984: RELATING TO LAND GRANTS.

Prohibits the acquisition of state land involving moneys from the Land Conservation Fund by a nonprofit organization without prior approval of the Legislature.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill regulates Land Conservation Fund usage to ensure proper management, aligning with conservation goals by requiring legislative oversight for nonprofit land acquisitions.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Public Lands

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in committee · Hawaii · Senate Jan 21, 2026

SB 1573: RELATING TO THE TRANSFER OF NON-AGRICULTURAL PARK LANDS.

Requires the Department of Agriculture to accept the transfer of and manage certain qualifying non-agricultural park lands. Allows the Department of Agriculture to request information related to easements prior to any transfer of certain qualifying non-agricultural park lands. Requires approval from the Board of Land and Natural Resources and the Board of Agriculture before removing pasture lands for reforestation, or other public purposes.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill manages non-agricultural park lands for conservation and requires board approval before land use changes like reforestation, supporting environmental protection through structured land management.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Forestry Parks & Recreation Public Lands

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in committee · Hawaii · House Jan 28, 2026

HB 1916: PROPOSING AN AMENDMENT TO THE CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE OF HAWAII REGARDING THE PROTECTION OF PUBLIC TRUST LANDS.

HB 1916 proposes a constitutional amendment to prohibit live-fire training exercises on Hawaii's public trust lands. These lands are held by the state for public use, such as parks, beaches, and conservation areas. The bill would require a change to the state constitution to permanently ban such training, affecting how these lands are managed and used. If passed, this amendment would create a new constitutional restriction on land use, directly impacting state land management decisions. The bill is currently in early stages, having been introduced and passed its first reading on January 26, 2026.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBans live-fire training on conservation lands, preventing environmental harm to public trust areas like parks and beaches.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Public Lands

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in committee · Hawaii · House Jan 28, 2026

HB 2048: RELATING TO PUBLIC LANDS.

Establishes new requirements for the disposition of public lands, including requiring two-thirds approval of each house of the Legislature via concurrent resolution and with a supporting resolution from the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, and applies this requirement to the disposition of public lands to public utilities and renewable energy producers as well. Limits the duration of public land disposition to the United States military to twenty-five years. Requires any new land disposition to the United States military to be accompanied by a clean-up and remediation bond from the United States military to be deposited into the state treasury. Prohibits the Board of Land and Natural Resources from issuing any new land disposition to the United States military until the military, State, and Office of Hawaiian Affairs reach an agreement in principle on certain matters.

Topics ✗ EnergyOpposes EnergyBill requires two-thirds legislative approval for land disposition to renewable energy producers, restricting their access to public lands for development.90% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill explicitly applies land disposition requirements to renewable energy producers, facilitating clean energy development and aligning with environmental protection goals.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Renewable Energy Public Lands

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Feb 20, 2026

SB 1178: RELATING TO CARBON SEQUESTRATION INCENTIVES.

SB 1178 makes Hawaii’s Carbon Smart Land Management Assistance Program permanent, providing ongoing state support for landowners who manage forests, agricultural land, or other natural areas to absorb carbon dioxide. The program, administered by the Department of Land and Natural Resources, directly benefits landowners by offering technical and financial assistance for practices that enhance carbon sequestration. This bill codifies existing temporary support into law, ensuring consistent funding and guidance for climate-friendly land management without creating new requirements or altering current eligibility rules.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentMakes carbon sequestration program permanent, providing financial/technical support for landowners to absorb CO2, directly advancing climate mitigation.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Lands

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in committee · Hawaii · Senate Jan 21, 2026

SB 1537: RELATING TO WILDLIFE CONSERVATION.

Prohibits the feeding of feral non-native animals on state land within one-half mile of the ocean or a stream. Requires the Department of Land and Natural Resources to enforce certain penalties for violations. Requires the counties to adopt or amend ordinances to prohibit the feeding of feral non-native animals on county land within one-half mile of the ocean or a stream and impose certain penalties for violations. Establishes an annual reporting requirement to the Legislature.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentProhibits feeding feral non-native animals near waterways to protect ecosystems and native species, directly advancing wildlife conservation goals.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Public Lands Wildlife

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