Environment

in committee · Hawaii · House Dec 8, 2025

HB 828: RELATING TO PLANT-BASED FOOD AND DRINKS.

Requires state agencies to establish a Plant-Based-By-Default Program for food and drinks offered at state-operated prisons, state-licensed hospitals, and government-sponsored events. Requires the Director of Corrections and Rehabilitation, Comptroller, and Director of Health to submit annual reports to the Hawaii Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Commission. Effective 7/1/2026.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRequires plant-based food programs tied to Hawaii Climate Commission, promoting reduced emissions/resource use aligned with environmental goals via mandated climate reports.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Climate Change

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in committee · Hawaii · Senate Feb 2, 2026

SB 3318: RELATING TO RESILIENCY.

Part II: For taxable years beginning after 12/31/2025, establishes an Agroecological and Climate-Smart Farming Practices Tax Credit to be administered by the Department of Taxation. Part III: Establishes the Hawaii Farm to Families Program and requires the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity to submit reports to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. Part IV: Requires the Department of Education to strengthen the State's farm to school meals program initiatives.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesEstablishes tax credit for farmers (tax relief) and appropriates funds for farm programs, directly advancing fiscal support for agriculture initiatives.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationPart IV explicitly requires DOE to strengthen farm-to-school meals program, directly advancing school nutrition initiatives through mandated action and funding appropriations.85% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill establishes climate-smart farming tax credit and farm-to-family programs focused on environmental sustainability, directly advancing climate-resilient agriculture and food systems conservation.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Tax Credits Student Health

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passed both · Hawaii · Senate Apr 27, 2026

SB 3053: RELATING TO NATURAL RESOURCES.

Appropriates moneys to the Department of Health for the development and implementation of the Comprehensive Watershed-based Water Quality Monitoring Pilot Program for the Waikele Watershed. Requires report to the Legislature. Appropriates moneys to the Division of Aquatic Resources of the Department of Land and Natural Resources for mangrove removal and shoreline and stream maintenance in the Nineteenth Senatorial District and nearby areas, including the West Loch and Middle Loch shorelines. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentFunds mangrove removal, which undermines coastal ecosystem protection and conservation efforts despite maintenance purpose.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Coastal & Flood Protection Water Quality

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passed both · Hawaii · House Apr 2, 2026

HB 1020: RELATING TO A PROGRAM TO CHARACTERIZE CARBON SEQUESTRATION POTENTIAL AND UNDERGROUND WATER RESOURCES STATEWIDE.

Establishes a Carbon Sequestration, Underground Water, and Geothermal Exploration Resource Characterization Program via slim hole bores and requires a related statewide environmental assessment. Requires a report to the Legislature. Establishes positions. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (SD2)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill explicitly appropriates funds for a state program (Carbon Sequestration Resource Characterization), directly advancing budget allocation for environmental resource management.95% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill establishes carbon sequestration and geothermal exploration programs, directly advancing renewable energy infrastructure and emissions reduction efforts per its subjects and summary.90% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentEstablishes carbon sequestration program with environmental assessment and funding, directly advancing climate and resource protection efforts.95% confidence

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in committee · Hawaii · Senate Feb 12, 2026

SB 2278: RELATING TO LIGHT POLLUTION.

Requires all outdoor light fixtures to be fully shielded. Creates exemptions for certain outdoor lighting. Repeals the Night Sky Protection Strategy. Appropriates funds.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyRequires shielded outdoor lighting, a standard energy efficiency measure that reduces energy waste and consumption.80% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRequires fully shielded outdoor lighting to reduce light pollution, advancing environmental conservation and dark sky protection goals.90% confidence

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in committee · Hawaii · Senate Jan 26, 2026

SB 2335: RELATING TO AGRICULTURE.

Requires the Agribusiness Development Corporation to establish an Agricultural Conservation Easement Program to purchase from willing private land owners agricultural conservation easements to preserve and protect the land for agricultural use in perpetuity. Establishes the Agricultural Conservation Easement Management Special Fund. Appropriates funds.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill appropriates funds and establishes a new special fund for agricultural conservation, directly advancing fiscal management through dedicated budget allocation for a conservation program.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentEstablishes Agricultural Conservation Easement Program to preserve agricultural land in perpetuity, directly supporting environmental conservation through land protection.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Tags Agriculture

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Feb 13, 2026

SB 2127: RELATING TO WATER POLLUTION.

Establishes a water pollution working group to establish liability standards for water pollution runoffs. Requires a report to the Legislature. Effective 1/30/2050. (SD1)

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentMandates liability for runoff pollution and prioritizes enforcement in rural water pollution hotspots, strengthening water pollution controls and protection of state waters.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Water Quality

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in committee · Hawaii · House Jan 30, 2026

HB 2196: RELATING TO THE ENVIRONMENT.

Repeals the Deposit Beverage Container program on 6/30/26. Allows redemptions to continue until 6/30/27. Establishes the solar panel and electric vehicle battery recycling special fund to assist in the gathering and recycling of solar panels and electric vehicle batteries. Requires the Department of Health to submit proposed legislation establishing a program to gather and recycle solar panels and electric vehicle batteries. Lapses any unencumbered balance remaining in the deposit beverage container deposit special fund when the Deposit Beverage Container program is repealed to the credit of the solar panel and electric vehicle battery recycling special fund.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyEstablishes special fund for solar panel and EV battery recycling, supporting renewable energy infrastructure lifecycle management.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentEstablishes solar/ev battery recycling fund, requiring DOH to propose legislation for gathering/recycling, advancing environmental conservation.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Electric Vehicles Energy Storage Solar Recycling

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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 Feb 18, 2026

SB 3034: RELATING TO COASTAL ZONE MANAGEMENT.

Requires the Department of Land and Natural Resources, by 7/1/2028, to establish the Hawaii Coastal Resilience Acquisition and Leaseback Program. Establishes the Coastal Resilience Revolving Fund. Clarifies the calculation of acquisition price for coastal properties, the conditions of leasebacks, and the limitation to liability assumed by the Department of Land and Natural Resources under the Hawaii Coastal Resilience Acquisition and Leaseback Program.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentEstablishes Coastal Resilience Program to protect vulnerable coastal properties through acquisition/leaseback, enhancing environmental resilience against climate impacts.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Coastal & Flood Protection

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