Environment

in committee · Hawaii · Senate Jan 21, 2026

SB 204: RELATING TO STATE WATER CODE PENALTIES.

Adds a minimum penalty and amends the maximum penalty per violation of the State Water Code, expands the types of potential violations of the State Water Code, and makes each day that a violation exists or continues to exist a separate offense. Requires the Commission on Water Resource Management to consider certain factors when imposing penalties. Makes the setting, charging, and collecting of administrative fines by the Commission on Water Resource Management mandatory, rather than discretionary.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentIncreases penalties for water code violations, mandates stricter enforcement, and strengthens regulatory compliance under State Water Code, advancing environmental protection.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Water Quality

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passed · Hawaii · House Mar 12, 2026

HB 1948: RELATING TO SINGLE-USE PLASTICS.

Prohibits lodging establishments from providing personal care products in small plastic containers within sleeping room accommodations, any space within sleeping room accommodations, or bathrooms used by the public or guests. Establishes civil penalties. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentProhibits single-use plastic containers in lodging, reducing plastic pollution and aligning with environmental protection goals.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Recycling

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 996: RELATING TO RENEWABLE ENERGY.

Clarifies that adjustments linked to premium interest rates for high yield credit are just and reasonable. Authorizes the Public Utilities Commission to include these incremental adjustments to the rate for electricity generated from nonfossil fuels. (SD1)

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill authorizes PUC to include rate adjustments for electricity from nonfossil fuels, directly advancing renewable energy infrastructure and rate structures.92% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentAuthorizes rate adjustments for electricity from nonfossil fuels, directly promoting renewable energy adoption and reducing fossil fuel reliance.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Renewable Energy

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in committee · Hawaii · House Dec 8, 2025

HB 105: RELATING TO TAXATION.

Establishes an income tax credit for the purchase of electric garbage trucks by qualified taxpayers. Applies to taxable years beginning after 12/31/2024.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProvides income tax credit for electric truck purchases, reducing tax burden for qualified taxpayers under tax policy.90% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill provides income tax credit for electric garbage trucks, directly promoting renewable energy adoption and reducing fossil fuel dependence in transportation infrastructure.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentTax credit for electric garbage trucks reduces emissions and promotes clean transportation, directly advancing environmental protection goals.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationPromotes sustainable transportation by incentivizing electric garbage truck adoption via tax credit, aligning with green infrastructure goals.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Sales Tax Tax Credits Waste Management Electric Vehicles

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in committee · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 1020: RELATING TO SINGLE-USE PLASTICS.

After 1/1/2026, prohibits businesses where food or beverages are packaged and sold on the business' premises for individual consumption from using, selling, or distributing certain disposable or single-use food ware and beverage service items, including items containing PFAS.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentProhibits single-use plastics and PFAS-containing items to reduce pollution, protect natural resources, and strengthen waste management regulations.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Drinking Water

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in committee · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 445: RELATING TO RENEWABLE ENERGY.

Requires and appropriates moneys for the Public Utilities Commission to establish standards requiring each electric utility company to remove from the rate base a commensurate amount of costs related to fossil fuel resources when adding new or converted renewable electrical energy and renewable energy resources.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAppropriates state funds for PUC renewable energy standards, directly allocating budget resources to advance renewable energy programs.85% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyRequires utilities to remove fossil fuel costs from rate base when adding renewables, directly promoting renewable energy adoption and reducing fossil fuel dependence.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRequires utilities to remove fossil fuel costs from rate bases when adding renewables, directly advancing clean energy adoption per bill's mandate.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Renewable Energy Utility Regulation

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passed both · Hawaii · Senate Mar 30, 2026

SB 3169: RELATING TO COASTAL RESILIENCE.

Establishes a five-year Coastal Resilience Pilot Program within the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism for the preservation of Mantokuji Bay. Allows the pilot program to be exempt from certain regulatory requirements. Requires the State Historic Preservation Division to conduct a streamlined historic preservation review. Establishes certain procedures for the discovery of Native Hawaiian skeletal remains. Requires annual reports to the Legislature. Sunsets 6/30/3005. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill establishes Coastal Resilience Pilot Program for Mantokuji Bay preservation, directly advancing environmental protection and conservation goals through dedicated funding and regulatory exemptions for the program.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Coastal & Flood Protection Conservation

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in committee · Hawaii · House Dec 8, 2025

HB 1285: 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 used. Establishes a one-half mile buffer zone for pesticides around schools and state and county public parks.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentCreates pesticide buffer zones around schools/parks to limit environmental exposure and contamination, directly protecting sensitive areas per environmental protection indicators.90% confidence

Track

passed · Hawaii · House Mar 17, 2026

HB 2608: RELATING TO WATER HEATING SYSTEMS.

Authorizes building permit variances for certain high-efficiency electric water heating systems utilizing heat pump technology. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExpands renewable energy tax credit, providing tax relief for qualifying water heating systems, directly supporting fiscal policy for energy efficiency.95% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyExpands renewable energy tax credits to high-efficiency electric water heating systems, promoting clean energy adoption and energy efficiency.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentExpands renewable energy tax credit for high-efficiency electric water heating systems, promoting cleaner energy adoption and reducing energy consumption.90% confidence

Track

passed both · Hawaii · House May 1, 2026

HB 2241: RELATING TO RENEWABLE ENERGY.

Amends the Renewable Energy Technologies Income Tax Credit by: Limiting claims for certain solar energy systems that are not third-party financed systems and installed and placed in service on a single-family residential property to taxpayers with an adjusted gross income of $175,000 or less if filing as an individual, $262,500 or less if filing as a head of household, or $350,000 or less if filing jointly; increasing the maximum adjusted gross income an individual taxpayer must be below in order to be eligible to have any excess credits refunded and limiting credit refundability to systems that are not third-party financed systems; and prohibiting a taxpayer from claiming a credit for a renewable energy technology system installed and placed in service on a residential property where the taxpayer has claimed a credit in prior taxable years. Applies to taxable years beginning after 12/31/2026. Sunsets 1/1/2029. (SD2)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesRestricts tax credit for high earners ($250k+ AGI), closing a loophole to target benefits toward lower-income taxpayers per tax policy indicators.92% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyAmends renewable energy tax credit to restrict high-income filers while removing caps, promoting broader solar adoption for eligible taxpayers.85% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill amends tax credits to promote solar energy adoption (removing caps, adjusting eligibility), directly supporting renewable energy deployment per environmental indicators.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Income Tax Tax Credits Renewable Energy Solar

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