Environment

in committee · Hawaii · House Feb 18, 2026

HB 2079: RELATING TO CESSPOOLS.

HB 2079 reestablishes a state income tax credit for property owners who upgrade, convert, or connect their cesspools (sewage disposal systems) to public sewer lines or alternative systems. This tax credit applies to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2026, directly benefiting homeowners and businesses in areas reliant on cesspools. The key provision is the reinstatement of a financial incentive to encourage the replacement of older cesspools, which are often environmentally concerning. The bill does not create new regulations but provides a tax benefit for specific infrastructure upgrades. It is currently pending committee review for potential passage.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesReinstates income tax credit for cesspool upgrades, providing tax relief to property owners and promoting environmental compliance through fiscal incentive.90% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill incentivizes cesspool upgrades to reduce groundwater pollution from outdated systems, directly addressing environmental protection through wastewater management.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Income Tax Tax Credits

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passed both · Hawaii · House Dec 8, 2025

HB 751: 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. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill explicitly appropriates funds for organic waste diversion plans, directly allocating state budget resources to support waste management programs.90% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentEstablishes statewide organic waste diversion goals to reduce landfill methane emissions, promotes sustainable waste management, and appropriates funds for environmental protection.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Recycling Waste Management

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in committee · Hawaii · Senate Feb 2, 2026

SB 3163: RELATING TO RENEWABLE ENERGY.

Requires the Public Utilities Commission to conduct a proceeding to study and implement the Smart Imports Program. Establishes the Smart Imports Program and requires electric utilities to offer excess electricity to consumers during daylight hours at cost for any legal purpose beginning January 1, 2028. Requires the Public Utilities Commission to adopt rules and establish penalties.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill mandates utilities to offer excess renewable energy to consumers at cost, directly advancing renewable energy adoption and infrastructure through the Smart Imports Program.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill explicitly promotes renewable energy adoption through the Smart Imports Program, requiring utilities to offer excess renewable electricity to consumers, aligning with environmental protection goals.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Renewable Energy Utility Regulation

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 352: RELATING TO PESTICIDES.

Requires the Department of Agriculture to use consistent units of measurement in its summary to the public on the amounts of restricted use pesticides applied. Establishes a one-half mile buffer zone for pesticides around schools during normal school hours and state and county public parks. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD2)

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentEstablishes pesticide buffer zones around schools/parks to limit environmental exposure and reduce pollution near sensitive areas, aligning with pollution control and conservation.85% confidence

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Feb 19, 2026

SB 2336: RELATING TO TREES.

Requires State departments, offices, and agencies to ensure and enforce that all arborists and other professionals in its employ, including contractors, who manage trees or lands that will impact public trees adhere to best management practices. Effective 7/1/2525. (SD1)

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentMandates best management practices for tree management on public lands, promoting conservation and protection of urban forests and natural resources.95% confidence

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in committee · Hawaii · Senate Jan 21, 2026

SB 723: RELATING TO SHORELINE SETBACKS.

SB 723 increases the minimum distance required between new construction and shorelines. This change directly affects property owners and developers planning projects near coastal or waterway areas. The bill raises the current setback standard, requiring new buildings to be built farther from the water’s edge, though specific distance numbers are not provided in the abstract. As of now, the bill is pending in the 2026 legislative session after being carried over from 2025.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentIncreases shoreline setback distances to protect coastal ecosystems and prevent erosion, strengthening environmental regulations per bill's intent.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Coastal & Flood Protection

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in committee · Hawaii · House Dec 8, 2025

HB 514: RELATING TO WIND ENERGY.

Creates an offshore wind energy working group to generate a roadmap to define standards to consider in the developmental process for offshore wind energy. Requires the working group to submit a report to the legislature prior to the 2027 regular session.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyCreates working group to develop offshore wind energy roadmap, advancing renewable energy infrastructure development.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentCreates working group to develop offshore wind energy standards, promoting renewable energy development and reducing fossil fuel reliance, aligning with environmental protection goals.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Wind

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passed · Hawaii · House Dec 8, 2025

HB 338: RELATING TO RENEWABLE ENERGY.

Specifies that adjustments required to compensate for certain unavoidable increases in financing costs, if proven by a producer of nonfossil fuel generated electricity by clear and convincing evidence, are mechanisms for reasonable and appropriate incremental adjustments that the Public Utilities Commission may include in the rate payable to the producer. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill enables PUC to include rate adjustments for nonfossil fuel electricity producers, supporting renewable energy development through financial mechanisms for financing costs.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill enables rate adjustments for nonfossil fuel electricity producers, directly supporting renewable energy adoption and reducing fossil fuel reliance per its title and subjects.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Renewable Energy Utility Regulation

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in committee · Hawaii · House Dec 8, 2025

HB 790: RELATING TO RENEWABLE ENERGY.

Establishes an installation goal for customer-sited distributed energy resources in the State. Ensures that fair compensation is provided to distributed energy resources exports as part of grid service programs. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyEstablishes renewable energy installation goals and fair compensation for distributed resources, directly advancing renewable infrastructure development.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentEstablishes renewable energy installation goals and fair compensation for distributed resources, directly advancing clean energy adoption and environmental protection.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Renewable Energy Solar

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in committee · Hawaii · House Dec 8, 2025

HB 1245: RELATING TO ADAPTATION PATHWAYS PLANNING.

Expands the authority of the State and counties to develop adaptation pathways plans to modify and relocate infrastructure away from critically threatened areas to locations outside sea level rise and coastal flooding exposure areas. Appropriates funds.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentFunds adaptation planning to relocate infrastructure from sea level rise zones, directly protecting communities and ecosystems from climate impacts.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationFunds relocation of transportation infrastructure away from flood zones to enhance resilience and protect existing transportation systems from sea level rise impacts.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Coastal & Flood Protection

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