Environment

passed · Hawaii · Senate Feb 13, 2026

SB 2262: RELATING TO POLLUTION.

Requires the Department of Health to establish and administer a centralized reporting system for the public to report solid waste pollution complaints. Increases penalties for solid waste pollution violations. Establishes a state-county illegal dumping task force and reporting requirements. Increases penalties for felony and petty misdemeanor disposal of solid waste. Effective 1/30/2050. (SD1)

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentIncreases penalties for solid waste/hazardous waste pollution, establishes reporting systems and task forces for illegal dumping, strengthening enforcement against environmental violations.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Hazardous Materials Waste Management

Track

in committee · Hawaii · House Dec 8, 2025

HB 49: RELATING TO WILDLIFE.

HB 49 bans the keeping or breeding of whales, dolphins, and porpoises (cetaceans) in captivity, primarily affecting marine parks and aquariums that currently house these animals. The bill allows exceptions for specific circumstances, such as research or rescue operations, but prohibits most commercial or public display facilities from maintaining cetaceans. It creates a new legal restriction on captivity, shifting current practices for these species. The bill was introduced in January 2025 and carried over to the next legislative session, meaning it has not yet been enacted.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBans captivity of cetaceans (whales/dolphins) to protect marine wildlife conservation, aligning with environmental protection and conservation indicators.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Wildlife

Track

in committee · Hawaii · House Dec 8, 2025

HB 878: RELATING TO LANDFILLS.

Extends the landfill buffer zone from one-half mile to one mile. Requires the landfill buffer zone to apply to lands in the state conservation district and lands designated as national conservation areas. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentExtends landfill buffer zones to protect conservation lands and national conservation areas, strengthening environmental safeguards around sensitive ecosystems.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Waste Management

Track

in committee · Hawaii · Senate Jan 28, 2026

SB 2440: RELATING TO CENTRALIZED ACCESS TO RESOURCES.

Requires and appropriates funds for the Hawaii Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Commission to develop, implement, and maintain a centralized resource website to connect residents to support and resources to address affordability, health, safety, and the impacts of climate change.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAppropriates funds for climate resource website, directly funding a state program under budget allocation for essential services.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentFunds Hawaii Climate Commission to develop climate resource website, directly advancing climate mitigation/adaptation efforts through dedicated funding and centralized resource access.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Climate Change

Track

in committee · Hawaii · House Jan 28, 2026

HB 1932: 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 AND 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 and healthy native ecosystems and beaches, shall be protected and shall not be infringed.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentConstitutional amendment explicitly protects clean water, air, ecosystems, and climate rights from infringement, advancing environmental protection per bill's core purpose.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Water Quality

Track

in committee · Hawaii · Senate Feb 11, 2026

SB 2606: RELATING TO WILDLIFE.

SB 2606 creates the Freshwater State Recreation Area Wildlife Sanctuary Corporation, a dedicated nonprofit entity to manage and operate the Freshwater State Recreation Area Wildlife Sanctuary. This bill establishes the corporation’s structure and purpose but does not alter existing wildlife laws or create new regulations. The corporation will handle day-to-day conservation, visitor services, and facility maintenance for the sanctuary, directly affecting its management and operations.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentCreates nonprofit for wildlife sanctuary conservation operations, directly advancing conservation without weakening existing protections.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Parks & Recreation Wildlife

Track

in committee · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 737: RELATED TO TOXIC CHEMICALS.

Establishes a temporary working group in the Office of the Governor to investigate the existence and environmental dangers of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances and related chemicals. Requires reports to the Legislature.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill creates working group to investigate PFAS environmental dangers and requires legislative reports, aiming to inform future protections against toxic chemicals.90% confidence

Track

passed both · Hawaii · House Mar 24, 2026

HB 1984: RELATING TO RENEWABLE ENERGY.

By 7/1/2027, requires government entities in the State that issue building permits to establish a self‑certification process for certain behind‑the‑meter, customer‑sited solar distributed energy resource systems that deems permit applications approved and allows applicants to proceed to build solar distributed energy resource systems immediately. Requires government entities in the State that issue building permits to develop guidance for determining specific conditions when a Federal Emergency Management Agency-mandated No-Rise Certification is not required for a solar distributed energy resource system located in a regulatory floodway. Effective 7/1/3000. (SD1)

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyStreamlines permitting for solar installations, removing barriers to renewable energy adoption through self-certification process for distributed energy systems.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentStreamlines solar permit process to accelerate renewable energy adoption, directly advancing clean energy goals without environmental restrictions.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Energy Resilience Renewable Energy Solar Recycling

Track

passed · Hawaii · Senate Feb 11, 2026

SB 2332: RELATING TO TAXATION.

Reestablishes the Agricultural Development and Food Security Special Fund. Establishes the Carbon Emissions Tax and Dividend Special Fund. Gradually increases the Environmental Response, Energy, Carbon Emissions, and Food Security tax rates and establishes a refundable carbon cashback tax credit to offset increases for most taxpayers. Requires reports to the Legislature. Appropriates funds.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesReestablishes tax funds, increases rates with refundable carbon cashback credit to offset most taxpayers' burden, funds environmental/agricultural programs via appropriations.90% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill imposes carbon emissions tax with refundable credit to reduce fossil fuel dependence, advancing renewable energy transition through fiscal policy.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill establishes Carbon Emissions Tax and Dividend Special Fund to reduce emissions, with refundable tax credit for taxpayers and Environmental Response appropriations.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Tax Credits Climate Change

Track

in committee · Hawaii · Senate Jan 28, 2026

SB 2484: RELATING TO THE HAWAII CLIMATE INSTITUTE.

Establishes the Hawaii Climate Institute at the University of Hawaii to support climate resilience and adaptation initiatives of the University and the State. Requires six per cent of the revenue generated by any increase to the Transient Accommodations Tax rates beginning on January 1, 2026, and by assessment of the Transient Accommodations Tax on gross rental proceeds derived from cruise fares to be allocated to the University of Hawaii annually to support the programs and operations of the Hawaii Climate Institute. Transfers the International Pacific Research Center of the University of Hawaii at Manoa's School of Ocean and Earth Sciences and Technology to the Hawaii Climate Institute. Appropriates funds.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates 6% of Transient Accommodations Tax revenue to fund Hawaii Climate Institute programs, directly supporting state budget allocation for climate initiatives.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill allocates 6% of Transient Accommodations Tax revenue to University of Hawaii programs, directly funding higher education initiatives under the Hawaii Climate Institute.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentEstablishes Hawaii Climate Institute funded by tourism tax to support climate resilience and adaptation initiatives, directly advancing environmental protection and climate action.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Testing & Assessment

Track