Environment

passed · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 738: RELATING TO WASTEWATER MANAGEMENT.

Requires a wastewater treatment works to test sewage sludge and any other residual material for the presence of PFAS. Requires the Department of Health to adopt administrative rules for the safe disposal and sequestration of sewage sludge and other residual material that contain specific amounts of PFAS. Prohibits the issuance or renewal of permits if testing yields PFAS in sewage sludge or other residual material on land used for agronomic purposes, on land where drainage tiles have been installed, on land that drains into waters of the State, or land in a five hundred-year floodplain. Effective 12/31/2050. (SD1)

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRequires PFAS testing in sewage sludge, prohibits land application with PFAS, and mandates safe disposal rules to prevent environmental contamination.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Coastal & Flood Protection Drinking Water

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in committee · Hawaii · House Dec 8, 2025

HB 1228: RELATING TO SOLID WASTE.

Prohibits the construction, modification, or expansion of waste or disposal facilities that are near or above a significant aquifer. Allows counties to apply for exemptions to state siting standards if they meet certain criteria.

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

Sub-Topics Waste Management

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in committee · Hawaii · House Jan 26, 2026

HB 1816: RELATING TO CESSPOOL CONVERSIONS.

HB 1816 increases the maximum grant amount available through the Cesspool Compliance Pilot Grant Project and appropriates funds to support this program. The bill directly affects property owners who need to convert or replace outdated cesspools to meet environmental standards. Its key mechanism is raising the financial support limit for eligible conversions, funded by the state appropriation. This change aims to make compliance more affordable for affected property owners without altering the program's eligibility rules.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesIncreases state appropriations for cesspool compliance grants, directly funding environmental program through budget allocation.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentFunds cesspool conversions to meet environmental standards, reducing groundwater pollution from outdated systems. Directly advances environmental protection through financial support.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations

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in committee · Hawaii · Senate Feb 2, 2026

SB 3289: RELATING TO TRANSPORTATION.

Requires the Governor to request in the executive budget or supplemental budget that an amount of general funds that approximates the additional revenue generated by assessing the Transient Accommodations Tax on gross rental proceeds derived from cruise fares be expended for maritime purposes and uses, including addressing maritime environmental issues, as determined by the Department of Transportation, rather than be expended as part of the green fee. Amends the definition of "cruise fares" with respect to the Transient Accommodations Tax.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesRedirects existing Transient Accommodations Tax revenue to maritime environmental and transportation uses via budget request, ensuring targeted fiscal allocation rather than alternative spending.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentDirects funds for maritime environmental issues per DOT, explicitly allocating revenue to address environmental concerns in cruise operations90% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationRedirects Transient Accommodations Tax revenue to maritime transportation projects under DOT, explicitly funding transportation infrastructure and environmental issues related to maritime.95% confidence

Sub-Topics State Budget Ports Transportation Funding

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in committee · Hawaii · Senate Jan 21, 2026

SB 1019: RELATING TO THE OCEAN RECREATION SPECIAL FUND.

Authorizes the Ocean Stewardship Special Fund to be used for planning, development, designing, or implementation of beach restoration projects, including the awarding of grants to nonprofit organizations for beach and nearshore environmental cleanup.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentAuthorizes fund for beach restoration and nonprofit cleanup grants, directly advancing environmental conservation and pollution control through targeted funding.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Recycling

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in committee · Hawaii · Senate Jan 21, 2026

SB 671: RELATING TO PESTICIDES.

SB 671 prohibits the use of specific pesticides on all state-owned lands and facilities, such as parks, schools, and government buildings. It directly affects state agencies managing these properties by requiring them to stop using the banned pesticides, except in emergency situations like pest outbreaks threatening public health. The bill’s key provision replaces current pesticide use with this ban, applying only to state-controlled locations and not private land. This is a direct policy change to reduce exposure to certain chemicals on public grounds. The bill is still pending in committee and has not yet become law.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBans harmful pesticides on state lands, reducing environmental pollution and protecting ecosystems per bill's explicit prohibition on dangerous chemicals in public facilities.95% confidence

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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

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in committee · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 676: RELATING TO ORGANIC WASTE.

Establishes statewide goals for solid waste reduction and organic waste diversion. Requires each county to incorporate into its next integrated solid waste management plan revision a plan to divert certain organic waste generated within the county in alignment with established state benchmarks. Appropriates funds.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAppropriates funds for organic waste diversion programs, directly allocating state budget resources to support waste management initiatives.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentMandates organic waste diversion to reduce landfill methane emissions and funds solid waste reduction programs, directly advancing environmental protection.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Recycling Waste Management

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in committee · Hawaii · House Feb 20, 2026

HB 1904: RELATING TO SPACE OPERATIONS.

Establishes within the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism the Hawaii Orbital Sustainability and Space Traffic Board and orbital tracking and traffic management system. Establishes registration and compliance standards for aerospace activities in state airspace. Authorizes the awarding of research, education, and workforce development grants. Requires compliance with the Hawaii Environmental Policy Act and historic preservation requirements, and Native Hawaiian cultural consultation. Requires annual reports to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRequires compliance with Hawaii Environmental Policy Act for space operations, mandating environmental reviews and protection standards.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation

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in committee · Hawaii · House Feb 10, 2026

HB 2038: RELATING TO TRANSPORTATION.

Requires the Department of Transportation to establish a Clean Transportation Alternatives Incentive Program that returns funds to eligible residents of the State who meet a certain income threshold or use a certain amount of gasoline as fuel for transportation.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill establishes state-funded incentive program returning funds to low-income residents via transportation appropriations, directly allocating budget resources for targeted financial relief.90% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill creates Clean Transportation Alternatives Incentive Program, directly promoting cleaner transportation options aligned with renewable energy goals.85% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill establishes Clean Transportation Alternatives Incentive Program to fund residents using cleaner transportation, reducing emissions and promoting environmental protection through incentives.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationCreates DOT-funded incentive program for clean transportation alternatives, directly advancing sustainable transportation infrastructure and funding per bill's title and summary.90% confidence

Sub-Topics State Budget Tax Incentives Electric Vehicles Recycling Electric Vehicles Transportation Funding Vehicle Registration

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