Environment

in committee · Hawaii · House Jan 30, 2026

HB 2204: RELATING TO CONSERVATION BANKING.

Authorizes the use of conservation banks for compensatory mitigation in a habitat conservation plan and associated incidental take license. Amends the membership and scope of authority for the Endangered Species Recovery Committee.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentAuthorizes conservation banks for habitat mitigation under Endangered Species protections, strengthening conservation efforts and regulatory compliance for habitat preservation.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Wildlife

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in committee · Hawaii · House Feb 2, 2026

HB 2348: RELATING TO THE STATE PARKS SPECIAL FUND.

Authorizes the Department of Land and Natural Resources to expend the moneys from the State Parks Special Fund for programs aimed at environmental protection.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill explicitly authorizes expenditure from State Parks Special Fund for environmental protection programs, directly advancing conservation efforts through dedicated funding.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Parks & Recreation

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 586: RELATING TO CLIMATE CHANGE.

Requires the counties to upgrade to zero emission buses by 2045. Requires the state agencies to prioritize zero emission buses in the procurement policy for purchasing or leasing motor vehicles. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyMandates zero-emission bus adoption by 2045, reducing fossil fuel dependence and advancing clean energy infrastructure in transportation.90% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentMandates zero-emission buses for counties and state agencies by 2045, directly reducing transportation emissions and advancing climate action per bill's climate change focus.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationMandates zero-emission bus procurement for mass transit, directly advancing sustainable transportation infrastructure per bill's requirements.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Electric Vehicles Climate Change Electric Vehicles

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in committee · Hawaii · Senate Jan 21, 2026

SB 1021: RELATING TO WILDLIFE.

SB 1021 bans the captivity of whales, dolphins, and porpoises (cetaceans) in facilities like aquariums or marine parks, directly affecting such venues that currently house these animals. The bill allows exceptions only for specific cases, such as animal rescue, rehabilitation, or approved scientific research. This law would require facilities to stop breeding or keeping cetaceans in captivity unless they qualify for one of these limited exceptions. The policy change aims to end the practice of keeping these highly intelligent marine mammals in confined settings.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBans cetacean captivity in facilities, directly protecting wildlife conservation and ending practices harming marine ecosystems per bill's intent to end captivity.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Wildlife

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in committee · Hawaii · Senate Jan 22, 2026

SB 2099: RELATING TO SOLID WASTE POLLUTION.

Requires the Department of Health to adopt by 12/31/2027, rules setting forth performance and emission standards for large municipal waste combustor plants operating within the State, in compliance with proposed federal rules. Beginning 1/1/2028, requires large municipal waste combustor plants operating within the State to comply with the rules.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRequires emission standards for waste combustors to reduce pollution, aligning with environmental protection goals through enforceable regulations.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Waste Management

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 391: RELATING TO RECYCLING.

SB 391 establishes a working group to develop a management plan for end-of-life lithium-ion batteries (used in devices like phones and electric vehicles), directly affecting battery recyclers, manufacturers, and waste management entities. The working group will create a report for the Legislature by January 2026, outlining strategies for safe collection, recycling, and disposal of these batteries. The bill does not impose new regulations but sets up a process to address growing battery waste challenges. It is currently pending committee review and has not yet become law. The effective date (1/1/2026) applies to the report submission, not the bill's implementation.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill creates working group to develop battery recycling management plan, directly addressing end-of-life waste pollution and promoting safe disposal strategies for environmental protection.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Recycling Waste Management

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in committee · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 541: RELATING TO WATER QUALITY.

Clarifies the level of environmental restoration owners and operators of underground storage tanks or tank systems that had a confirmed release must satisfy by requiring the removal of all jet fuel, including fuel additives and all compounds resulting from the degradation of jet fuel or jet fuel additives or the reaction of jet fuel or jet fuel additives with water or other chemicals. Establishes a rebuttable presumption that the detection of these contaminants in the vicinity of an underground storage tank or a tank system after a confirmed release is a result of the confirmed release.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill mandates removal of jet fuel contaminants from water sources, strengthens environmental restoration requirements for tank releases, and establishes rebuttable presumption for contamination detection.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Water Quality

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in committee · Hawaii · Senate Jan 21, 2026

SB 1458: RELATING TO ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP FEES.

Establishes within the Department of Land and Natural Resources the environmental stewardship fee program to collect a fee from visitors through an environmental stewardship license and allocate the revenue to protect, restore, and manage natural and cultural resources through grants to nonprofit organizations. Establishes the environmental stewardship fee special fund. Establishes the Environmental Stewardship Commission to make recommendations to the Board of Land and Natural Resources regarding the use of revenues in the special fund. Requires the Department of Land and Natural Resources to conduct rulemaking. Requires a report to the legislature, including an environmental stewardship fee strategic plan. Creates civil or administrative penalties to be imposed after July 1, 2030. Appropriates funds.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates new environmental stewardship fee (tax) to fund conservation programs via special fund, directly allocating revenue for resource protection under budget management.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill establishes fee program funding grants for environmental protection, restoration, and resource management per summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Fees & Licensing

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in committee · Hawaii · Senate Jan 28, 2026

SB 2474: RELATING TO DEPOSIT BEVERAGE CONTAINER RECYCLING.

SB 2474 repeals the current deposit beverage container program and replaces it with a new Recycling Refund Producer Responsibility Organization Program. Under this bill, beverage producers (like soda and water companies) would become directly responsible for funding and managing the recycling system, including refund programs for containers. This change shifts the financial and operational burden from consumers and retailers to the beverage manufacturers themselves, while maintaining a refund system for consumers who return containers.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentShifts recycling responsibility to beverage producers, ensuring funding and management for container recycling, directly advancing environmental conservation through improved waste management systems.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Recycling

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in committee · Hawaii · Senate Jan 21, 2026

SB 110: RELATING TO WATER.

Defines "isolated wetlands" and "wetlands". Clarifies the definition of "state waters" to include wetlands and isolated wetlands. Requires the Director of Health to determine all wetlands in the State, including whether a wetland is an isolated wetland or is included in the waters of the United States. Prohibit persons from discharging any water pollutant into or at any location that enters state waters.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentProhibits water pollutant discharges into state waters/wetlands, strengthening protections for wetlands and pollution control per bill's explicit language.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Water Quality

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