Environment (Conservation)

passed · Hawaii · Senate Mar 12, 2026

SB 2975: RELATING TO MARINE LIFE CONSERVATION DISTRICTS.

Authorizes the Department of Land and Natural Resources to close all or portions of any marine life conservation district for various periods of time and to adopt rules for the regulation of commercial activity within a marine life conservation district; provided that the marine life conservation district is located on or adjacent to the shores of Oahu. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentAuthorizes closures and regulations to protect marine ecosystems, directly advancing conservation goals within marine life conservation districts.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation

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in committee · Hawaii · House Jan 28, 2026

HB 1916: PROPOSING AN AMENDMENT TO THE CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE OF HAWAII REGARDING THE PROTECTION OF PUBLIC TRUST LANDS.

HB 1916 proposes a constitutional amendment to prohibit live-fire training exercises on Hawaii's public trust lands. These lands are held by the state for public use, such as parks, beaches, and conservation areas. The bill would require a change to the state constitution to permanently ban such training, affecting how these lands are managed and used. If passed, this amendment would create a new constitutional restriction on land use, directly impacting state land management decisions. The bill is currently in early stages, having been introduced and passed its first reading on January 26, 2026.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBans live-fire training on conservation lands, preventing environmental harm to public trust areas like parks and beaches.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Public Lands

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Mar 30, 2026

SB 2944: RELATING TO CONSERVATION.

Requires the Board of Land and Natural Resources to adopt rules that implement wildlife viewing guidelines that substantially conform to the wildlife viewing guidelines issued by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Requires annual reports to the Legislature until rules are adopted. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRequires adoption of NOAA-aligned wildlife viewing guidelines to protect habitats, advancing conservation efforts.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Wildlife

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in committee · Hawaii · House Dec 8, 2025

HB 85: RELATING TO THE LAND CONSERVATION FUND.

Sets the amount of conveyance tax revenues to be paid into the Land Conservation Fund to a certain per cent or monetary cap, whichever is less, of conveyance taxes collected each fiscal year. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesDirects conveyance tax revenues to Land Conservation Fund, ensuring dedicated funding for conservation programs per fiscal year.90% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill mandates conveyance tax revenues to fund the Land Conservation Fund, directly supporting land conservation and natural resource protection.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation

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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

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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

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in committee · Hawaii · Senate Jan 21, 2026

SB 20: RELATING TO THE GREEN JOBS YOUTH CORPS.

SB 20 provides funding to continue the Green Jobs Youth Corps program, administered by the Department of Land and Natural Resources. This bill directly affects young participants in the program, who gain work experience in environmental conservation and sustainability projects. The key mechanism is allocating state funds to maintain the program's operations, including job training and fieldwork opportunities for youth. The bill does not create new policies but ensures ongoing support for an existing initiative focused on environmental stewardship and youth employment.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill allocates state funds (Appropriations $) to continue Green Jobs Youth Corps program, directly funding a public service program as described in subjects and summary.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentFunds Green Jobs Youth Corps program providing environmental conservation training for youth, directly supporting environmental protection through sustained funding.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentFunds job training and work experience for youth in environmental conservation, advancing employment opportunities and workforce development.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Child Labor Workforce Development

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in committee · Hawaii · House Dec 8, 2025

HB 318: RELATING TO CONSERVATION BANKING.

HB 318 authorizes Hawaii's Department of Land and Natural Resources to operate and approve conservation banks, which are protected land reserves where developers can purchase credits to offset environmental impacts from construction projects. The bill establishes a state-managed system for creating and verifying these conservation areas, directly affecting landowners who might establish banks and developers who need to comply with environmental mitigation requirements. Key provisions require the department to set standards for bank approval, monitor conservation outcomes, and ensure credits accurately represent habitat protection. This policy change would formalize the state's role in overseeing conservation banking as a tool for balancing development with habitat preservation. The bill is currently pending in the 2026 legislative session.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill mandates developers to purchase credits from state-approved conservation banks to offset environmental impacts, creating a structured system for land preservation and mitigation, directly advancing conservation goals.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation

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in committee · Hawaii · House Feb 2, 2026

HB 2432: RELATING TO MARINE LIFE CONSERVATION DISTRICTS.

Authorizes the Department of Land and Natural Resources to close all or portions of any marine life conservation district for various periods of time and to adopt rules for the regulation of commercial activity within a marine life conservation district.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentAuthorizes closures and regulations to protect marine ecosystems within conservation districts, directly advancing environmental protection through conservation district management.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation

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in committee · Hawaii · Senate Feb 2, 2026

SB 3147: RELATING TO CONSERVATION BANKS.

Authorizes the Board of Land and Natural Resources to approve the operation of conservation banks and amends the Endangered Species Recovery Committee's membership and scope of authority. Effective upon approval.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentAuthorizes conservation banks and strengthens Endangered Species Recovery Committee authority, directly advancing habitat protection and conservation efforts.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Wildlife

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