Environment

passed · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 501: RELATING TO CESSPOOLS.

Requires the Department of Health, to the extent allowable under federal law, to prioritize the use of Water Pollution Control Revolving Fund moneys for projects by homeowners to upgrade cesspools to director-approved wastewater systems or connect homeowners' properties to sewerage systems, including projects for the installation of cluster systems or community package plants. Effective 12/31/2050. (SD1)

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill mandates cesspool upgrades to prevent groundwater pollution using water pollution funds, directly advancing clean water protection and pollution control.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Water Quality

Track

in committee · Hawaii · House Dec 8, 2025

HB 123: RELATING TO FISHERIES.

HB 123 exempts routine fisheries operations and management activities from state environmental review requirements. This directly affects fishing businesses, state fisheries agencies, and any entities managing day-to-day fishing activities within the state. The bill removes the need for environmental assessments for standard operations, such as fishing gear deployment or stock management. It does not apply to major construction projects or large-scale developments that typically trigger separate environmental reviews.

Topics ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentExempts routine fisheries operations from environmental reviews, removing regulatory oversight that could protect ecosystems.90% confidence

Track

in committee · Hawaii · Senate Jan 22, 2026

SB 2113: RELATING TO PLANT-BASED FOOD AND DRINKS.

Requires the Departments of Corrections and Rehabilitation, Accounting and General Services, and Health to establish a Plant-Based-By-Default Program for food and drinks offered at state-operated prisons, state-licensed hospitals, and government-sponsored events. Requires annual reports to the Hawaii Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Commission.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRequires plant-based food programs linked to Hawaii's Climate Change Commission, reducing emissions via dietary shift as plant-based diets lower carbon footprint.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Climate Change

Track

in committee · Hawaii · Senate Feb 2, 2026

SB 3259: RELATING TO SOLID WASTE.

Requires municipal solid waste combustor ash to be disposed of only in a double-lined landfill, except for in Waimanalo Gulch Sanitary Landfill cells constructed and in use by 12/31/2025. Beginning 12/31/2026, prohibits the reuse of municipal solid waste incinerator ash for use as daily landfill cover material, roadbuilding, fill, or construction material.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRequires double-lined landfills for ash disposal and bans ash reuse, preventing soil/water contamination and strengthening solid waste regulations.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Waste Management

Track

passed · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 674: RELATING TO THE ENVIRONMENT.

Requires the Department of Health to conduct a statewide needs assessment to determine what will be needed to reduce waste generation, increase reuse, improve recycling collection services, and expand local processing of materials through an extended producer responsibility program for packaging materials and paper products. Requires the Department of Health to complete and submit the needs assessment to the Legislature no later than 12/31/2028. Establishes an advisory council to review the draft needs assessment and propose recommendations throughout the assessment process. Appropriates funds. Effective 12/31/2050. (SD1)

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRequires extended producer responsibility for packaging waste, mandates waste reduction assessment, and promotes recycling improvements to strengthen environmental protections.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Recycling

Track

in committee · Hawaii · House Jan 26, 2026

HB 1693: RELATING TO CLIMATE CHANGE.

Part I: Extends the Zero Emissions Clean Economy Target from 2045 to 2050. Part II: Maintains the existing Zero Emissions Clean Economy Target but exempts the Department of Transportation and transportation systems and services from the target.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyExtends Zero Emissions Clean Economy Target to 2050, maintaining clean energy goals despite transportation exemption; aligns with reducing fossil fuel dependence.90% confidence ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentExtends emissions target deadline to 2050 and exempts transportation sector, weakening urgency and scope of climate action.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Electric Vehicles Renewable Energy Climate Change

Track

passed · Hawaii · Senate Feb 20, 2026

SB 2333: RELATING TO NEONICOTINOIDS.

Beginning 1/1/2027, prohibits the sale, possession, or use of a pesticide containing one or more neonicotinoid pesticides, under certain conditions. Requires the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity to evaluate the potential impacts of and adopt any necessary control measures for neonicotinoid pesticide use on pollinating insects, native migratory and resident birds, aquatic organisms, and human health. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentProhibits neonicotinoid pesticides (harmful to pollinators/ecosystems) and mandates environmental impact evaluations per bill summary.95% confidence

Tags Agriculture

Track

in committee · Hawaii · Senate Jan 21, 2026

SB 840: RELATING TO ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION.

Allows the Department of Land and Natural Resources to contract or form a partnership with private parties to assist with the maintenance and management of sunscreen dispensers at all state beaches, as well as publicize that the mineral-based sunscreen in these dispensers is more protective of the coral reefs of the State. Appropriates funds for the installation, maintenance, management, and operation of non-chemical sunscreen dispensers on all state beaches.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill promotes mineral sunscreen to protect coral reefs, funds installation/maintenance of dispensers, directly advancing environmental protection at state beaches.95% confidence

Track

passed both · Hawaii · Senate Apr 27, 2026

SB 2372: RELATING TO TREES.

Establishes base selection criteria for designating exceptional trees. Establishes the significant tree designation, selection criteria, and related processes. Establishes the State Arborist Advisory Committee within the Department of Land and Natural Resources for administrative purposes. Requires County Arborist Advisory Committees to have at least five members, adopt new exceptional tree selection criteria, and designate significant trees. Directs the Department of Land and Natural Resources and the University of Hawaii to cooperate with State and County Arborist Advisory Committees to carry out the Exceptional Trees Program. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill establishes criteria for significant trees and committees to protect exceptional trees, advancing conservation efforts through designated tree preservation programs.90% confidence

Track

in committee · Hawaii · House Feb 20, 2026

HB 1817: RELATING TO PROTECTING HAWAII'S FISHERIES.

Requires the Board of Land and Natural Resources to adopt rules no later than June 30, 2030, establishing a statewide daily bag limit for ʻamaʻama during the open season; provided that the rules shall apply only to areas without management plans as of the effective date of the rules. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentEstablishes daily bag limit to conserve ʻamaʻama fish populations, directly protecting marine resources through sustainable fishing management.95% confidence

Track