Environment

in committee · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 538: RELATING TO SOLID WASTE.

Requires municipal solid waste combustor ash to be disposed of only in a lined landfill. Prohibits the reuse of municipal solid waste incinerator ash for uses such as roadbuilding, fill, or construction.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRequires lined landfills for ash disposal and bans reuse, preventing soil/water contamination from toxic ash, directly protecting environment.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Recycling Waste Management

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in committee · Hawaii · Senate Jan 30, 2026

SB 2759: RELATING TO PUBLIC LAND DISPOSITIONS.

Requires the Board of Land and Natural Resources to extend the term of all leases of public lands to the United States Military that expire in 2028, 2029, 2030, or 2031 for a period of five years to allow the Military additional time to complete and submit an environmental impact statement for the leased public lands.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRequires military to complete EIS for public lands leases, ensuring environmental review before lease expiration per NEPA standards.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Lands

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passed both · Hawaii · House Mar 30, 2026

HB 1601: RELATING TO BIOSECURITY.

Amends the amount and expending agency for a fiscal year 2026-2027 appropriation for the Hawaii Invasive Species Council from the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity to the Department of Land and Natural Resources. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill moves Hawaii Invasive Species Council funding to DLNR (natural resources agency), directly supporting environmental protection through invasive species control.95% confidence

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in committee · Hawaii · Senate Feb 13, 2026

SB 2996: RELATING TO ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION.

SB 2996 prohibits the commercial harvesting of aquatic life (such as fish or marine animals) for sale to aquarium businesses, regardless of how the collection is done. This directly affects commercial aquarium suppliers and businesses that source live marine specimens. The bill's key provision is a complete ban on this specific activity, eliminating exceptions for collection methods. It does not address other environmental protections or commercial fishing. The bill is currently in committee review with a scheduled public hearing.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBans commercial harvesting of aquatic life for aquariums, directly conserving marine species and habitats per bill's prohibition.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Wildlife

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in committee · Hawaii · Senate Feb 3, 2026

SB 2971: RELATING TO WATER STANDARDS.

By 1/1/2040, requires all municipal wastewater treatment facilities owned by a State or county agency to meet state R-1 water standards. Requires the Department of Health to adopt five-year benchmarks to ensure compliance with state R-1 water standards. Requires the Legislature to appropriate sufficient funds. Appropriates funds.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill explicitly requires Legislature to appropriate funds for wastewater compliance and specifies funding allocation, directly advancing budgetary support for public infrastructure.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentMandates stricter wastewater standards (R-1) by 2040 with funding, directly strengthening water pollution controls and environmental protection.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Drinking Water Water Quality

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in committee · Hawaii · Senate Jan 30, 2026

SB 2758: RELATING TO PUBLIC LAND DISPOSITIONS.

Requires the Board of Land and Natural Resources to consult with the Office of Hawaiian Affairs before approving a long-term lease of public lands to another government, governmental agency, utility, or renewable energy developer. Prohibits the Board from extending leases allowing the live-fire training and bombing of public lands, except for a one-time extension of up to five years to phase out existing leases allowing the live‑fire training and bombing of public lands. Excludes lands set aside to the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands or lands designated for return to the State from the one-time extension.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentProhibits live-fire training/bombing on public lands (harmful to ecosystems) and requires consultation for renewable energy leases, protecting natural resources and reducing environmental damage.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Lands

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passed · Hawaii · House Feb 20, 2026

HB 1694: RELATING TO SUSTAINABLE AVIATION FUEL TAX CREDIT.

Establishes a tax credit for sustainable aviation fuel distribution in Hawaii to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Provides $1 per gallon, increasing by 2 cents per additional 1 per cent emissions reduction, up to $2 per gallon. Caps total credits at $20,000,000 annually, with carryover provisions. Requires reporting to ensure transparency and compliance. Applies to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2026, and sunsets on December 31, 2035. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates tax credit reducing liability for sustainable aviation fuel distributors, aligning with fiscal incentives for emissions reduction within a capped annual budget ($20M).95% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill creates tax credit for sustainable aviation fuel to reduce emissions, directly promoting renewable energy development and reducing fossil fuel dependence.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill establishes tax credit to reduce greenhouse gas emissions via sustainable aviation fuel, directly advancing climate protection goals with explicit emissions reduction incentives.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationPromotes sustainable aviation fuel adoption via tax credit, reducing emissions in transportation sector per bill's purpose.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Tax Credits Climate Change Airports Transportation Funding

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passed both · Hawaii · House Apr 6, 2026

HB 1949: RELATING TO THE GREEN FEE.

Establishes the Green Fee Transparency and Accountability Program and Green Fee Resiliency Impact Dashboard, to be administered by the Hawaii Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Commission. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (SD1)

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentCreates climate mitigation programs with dedicated funding and transparency dashboard under Hawaii's Climate Commission, directly advancing environmental protection through commission oversight.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Climate Change

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 559: PROPOSING AN AMENDMENT TO ARTICLE I OF THE HAWAII STATE CONSTITUTION TO RECOGNIZE AND PROTECT THE INHERENT AND INALIENABLE RIGHT OF ALL PEOPLE TO CLEAN WATER AND AIR, A HEALTHFUL ENVIRONMENT AND CLIMATE, HEALTHY NATIVE ECOSYSTEMS, AND BEACHES.

Proposes a constitutional amendment to ensure that the inherent and inalienable right of the people, including future generations, to clean water and air, a healthful environment and climate, healthy native ecosystems, and beaches, shall be protected and shall not be infringed. (SD1)

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill explicitly proposes constitutional protection for clean water, air, climate, and ecosystems, directly strengthening environmental rights per its title and summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Water Quality

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in committee · Hawaii · Senate Feb 8, 2026

SB 2186: RELATING TO BLUE CARBON.

SB 2186 requires the state Office of Planning and Sustainable Development to create a statewide strategy for managing coastal ecosystems (like mangroves and seagrass) that absorb and store carbon - known as "blue carbon." This strategy must be developed and reported to the legislature, directly affecting the state agency responsible for planning and sustainability. The bill establishes a concrete mechanism for the state to formally address coastal carbon storage through a structured plan and legislative reporting. It does not change existing laws but mandates a new planning process focused on environmental management.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRequires statewide strategy for coastal ecosystems (mangroves/seagrass) that absorb carbon, establishing formal mechanism to manage blue carbon storage for environmental protection.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Climate Change Coastal & Flood Protection Conservation

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