Environment

in committee · Hawaii · Senate Jan 26, 2026

SB 2361: RELATING TO SINGLE-USE PLASTICS.

SB 2361 prohibits food and beverage service businesses from selling or distributing single-use plastic service ware, such as straws, utensils, and containers. It directly affects restaurants, cafes, and vendors that currently provide these plastic items to customers. The key mechanism bans the sale and distribution of these specific plastic products, requiring businesses to switch to alternatives like compostable or reusable options. The bill is currently in early legislative stages, having been introduced on January 21, 2026, and referred to committee for further review.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBans single-use plastics (straws, utensils, containers) to reduce solid waste pollution, directly advancing environmental protection by curbing plastic pollution sources.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Recycling

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in committee · Hawaii · Senate Jan 30, 2026

SB 2904: RELATING TO TRANSPORTATION.

Beginning 1/1/2027, requires each county to implement fare-free access to its public transportation systems. Establishes the Fare-Free Public Transportation Tax and Dividend Special Fund. Increases the Environmental Response, Energy, and Food Security Tax on petroleum products to fund fare-free public transportation.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill increases petroleum tax to fund public transportation, directly using tax revenue for a public service and establishing a dedicated fund.95% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill taxes petroleum products (fossil fuels) to fund fare-free transit, reducing fossil fuel dependence and aligning with energy policy goals.90% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentIncreases petroleum tax to fund fare-free transit, reducing vehicle emissions and promoting sustainable transportation per Environmental Response tax linkage.90% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationMandates fare-free public transit systems and funds via increased petroleum tax, directly advancing public transportation access and infrastructure.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Sales Tax Oil & Gas Public Transit Transportation Funding

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in committee · Hawaii · House Dec 8, 2025

HB 1181: RELATING TO COASTAL ZONE MANAGEMENT.

Excludes from the definition of "development" used for purposes of coastal zone management the reconstruction of certain structures that were damaged or destroyed in a disaster proclaimed to be a state of emergency or local state of emergency, under certain conditions. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentExcludes disaster-reconstruction from 'development' definition, weakening coastal management regulations by removing oversight for rebuilding in sensitive areas.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Coastal & Flood Protection Natural Disasters

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in committee · Hawaii · Senate Jan 26, 2026

SB 2255: RELATING TO BIODIESEL.

Requires the Director of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism to adopt rules to require that diesel fuel sold in the State for use in on-highway diesel-powered motor vehicles contains no less than five per cent biodiesel by volume.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyMandates 5% biodiesel minimum in diesel fuel, promoting renewable energy use and reducing fossil fuel dependence per bill summary.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRequires 5% biodiesel in diesel fuel, reducing emissions and promoting renewable energy per environmental indicators.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationRequires 5% biodiesel in on-highway diesel fuel, promoting sustainable vehicle fuel standards within transportation infrastructure.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Roads & Highways

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in committee · Hawaii · Senate Jan 28, 2026

SB 2459: RELATING TO PESTICIDES.

Requires the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity 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.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBuffer zone around schools limits pesticide drift, reducing environmental pollution from restricted use pesticides per bill's requirements.85% confidence

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passed both · Hawaii · House May 1, 2026

HB 2423: RELATING TO BIODIESEL.

Requires the Director of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism to implement a requirement that, no later than January 1, 2028, diesel fuel sold in certain counties for use in on-highway diesel-powered motor vehicles contains no less than five per cent biodiesel by volume, except in circumstances where the supply of biodiesel is insufficient. Requires the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism to submit a report to the Legislature, including a comprehensive rollout plan. Requires the Director of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism to consult with the Department of Transportation during the development and implementation of the biodiesel requirements and present DBEDT's comprehensive rollout plan to the public. Effective 7/1/3050. (SD1)

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyMandates 5% biodiesel in diesel fuel, promoting renewable energy use and reducing fossil fuel dependence per bill summary.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRequires 5% biodiesel in diesel fuel, reducing emissions and promoting renewable energy per environmental protection indicators.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationMandates 5% biodiesel in on-highway diesel fuel, promoting sustainable transportation fuel standards for vehicles.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Roads & Highways

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passed both · Hawaii · House Apr 17, 2026

HB 2101: RELATING TO COMMERCIAL AQUARIUM COLLECTION.

HB 2101 prohibits the capture and sale of live aquatic animals for commercial aquarium businesses, regardless of how they are collected. This directly affects commercial aquarium suppliers and retailers who currently source wild-caught marine or freshwater species. The key provision bans all such collection and sale activities, creating a complete prohibition without exceptions for methods like nets or traps. The bill is currently in its early stages, having been introduced on January 26, 2026.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBans wild-caught aquatic collection, protecting marine ecosystems and aligning with sustainability goals per bill subjects.90% confidence

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in committee · Hawaii · House Feb 6, 2026

HB 2596: RELATING TO PLANTS.

Requires persons who sell or offer plants for sale at retail to provide information on the risk of invasiveness of the plant species. Requires the Invasive Species Council to develop a labeling system for plants that displays the plants' weed risk assessments. Establishes fines for violations. Effective 1/1/2027.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRequires labeling for invasive plant risks to prevent ecological harm, directly strengthening environmental protection against invasive species spread.95% confidence

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in committee · Hawaii · House Dec 8, 2025

HB 366: RELATING TO RENEWABLE ENERGY.

Requires contested cases, environmental assessment cases, or environmental impact statement cases involving renewable energy projects over twenty megawatts in size, except cases that involve any form of incineration, to be appealed from an agency's decision directly to the Hawaii Supreme Court for final decision. Requires the cases to be prioritized and decided expeditiously. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill expedites appeals for renewable energy projects >20MW via direct Supreme Court review, reducing delays in project approvals and advancing renewable energy development.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentStreamlines appeals for renewable energy projects, expediting approvals to advance clean energy deployment and reduce regulatory delays for environmental projects.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Renewable Energy

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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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