Environment (Conservation)

in committee · Hawaii · Senate Jan 30, 2026

SB 2747: RELATING TO AGRICULTURE.

Exempts any agricultural enterprise practicing diversified agriculture on lands formerly used for commercial sugarcane production within the conservation district from any permitting and site plan approval requirements established for lands in a conservation district.

Topics ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentExempts agricultural operations from conservation district permitting, weakening regulatory oversight for environmental protections on former sugarcane lands.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation

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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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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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in committee · Hawaii · Senate Jan 30, 2026

SB 2984: RELATING TO LAND GRANTS.

Prohibits the acquisition of state land involving moneys from the Land Conservation Fund by a nonprofit organization without prior approval of the Legislature.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill regulates Land Conservation Fund usage to ensure proper management, aligning with conservation goals by requiring legislative oversight for nonprofit land acquisitions.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Public Lands

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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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