Environment

passed · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 1339: RELATING TO A PROGRAM TO CHARACTERIZE CARBON SEQUESTRATION POTENTIAL AND UNDERGROUND WATER RESOURCES STATEWIDE.

Establishes a statewide underground water and carbon sequestration resource characterization program via slim hole bores and a related statewide environmental assessment. Effective 5/13/2040. (SD1)

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentEstablishes program to characterize carbon sequestration potential, advancing climate mitigation and water resource management per bill title and subjects.95% confidence

Track

passed both · Hawaii · House Mar 20, 2026

HB 1450: RELATING TO AGRICULTURAL CLIMATE RESILIENCY.

Establishes a three-year Climate-Resilient Food Systems Grant Pilot Program, to be administered by the Department of Agriculture. Requires reports to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentEstablishes Climate-Resilient Food Systems Grant Program with funding to advance environmental adaptation in agriculture, directly supporting climate resilience and sustainable practices.95% confidence

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in committee · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 643: RELATING TO ENERGY-EFFICIENCY PORTFOLIO STANDARDS.

Extends the State's energy-efficiency portfolio standards from 2030 to 2045 and updates the standards. Authorizes the public utilities commission to adjust the 2045 and interim standards.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyExtends energy-efficiency standards to 2045 and authorizes updates, advancing efficiency goals per bill language.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentExtends energy-efficiency portfolio standards to 2045 with updates, requiring continued reduction in energy use and emissions, advancing environmental protection goals.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Energy Efficiency

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in committee · Hawaii · House Feb 6, 2026

HB 2425: 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. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentExempts agricultural operations from conservation district permitting, removing regulatory safeguards for environmental protection on former sugarcane lands.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation

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in committee · Hawaii · House Feb 25, 2026

HB 1652: RELATING TO STORMWATER MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS.

Exempts agricultural infrastructure and low-risk green stormwater infrastructure from regulations covering retention ponds. Defines agricultural infrastructure and low-risk green stormwater infrastructure. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentExempts agricultural ponds and green infrastructure from stormwater regulations, reducing regulatory oversight on environmental management systems.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Water Quality

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in committee · Hawaii · House Jan 26, 2026

HB 1570: 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.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentProhibits neonicotinoid pesticides to protect pollinators and ecosystems, requiring departmental evaluation of environmental impacts per bill summary.95% confidence

Track

passed both · Hawaii · Senate Apr 17, 2026

SB 438: RELATING TO WASTE DISPOSAL FACILITIES.

Prohibits landfill units on land in an agricultural district with class A soils. Beginning 7/1/2025, narrows the prohibition on constructing, modifying, or expanding waste or disposal facilities within a one-half mile buffer zone of residential, school, or hospital property lines to apply specifically to landfill units or components of landfill units. Beginning 7/1/2025, prohibits the construction, modification, or expansion of a landfill unit, or any component of a landfill unit, inland of an underground injection control line in a county with a population greater than five hundred thousand, with certain exemptions. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD3)

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill prohibits landfills in agricultural districts with class A soils and near sensitive areas (schools/hospitals), protecting soil quality and preventing pollution near communities.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Waste Management

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in committee · Hawaii · House Dec 8, 2025

HB 1139: 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 fee revenue stream and allocates funds via special fund to environmental conservation programs, directly advancing public service funding through budget appropriation.90% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentEstablishes fee program to fund environmental protection, restoration, and resource management via nonprofit grants, directly advancing conservation efforts through dedicated revenue allocation.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Fees & Licensing

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signed · Hawaii · Senate Jul 15, 2026

SB 2999: RELATING TO A CLEAN FUEL STANDARD.

SB 2999 requires the state Department of Transportation to create and adopt rules by January 1, 2028, establishing a clean fuel standard for alternative transportation fuels like electricity and biofuels. This rulemaking will directly affect fuel providers, refiners, and the state's transportation sector by setting requirements for reducing carbon emissions in these fuels. The bill mandates the DOT to develop specific standards for cleaner fuel use, focusing on lowering greenhouse gas emissions from transportation. It does not set immediate fuel requirements but establishes a timeline for the agency to create enforceable rules. The legislation is currently in committee review after its introduction in January 2026.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyMandates clean fuel standards for alternative transportation fuels to reduce carbon emissions, advancing renewable energy adoption and lowering greenhouse gases.90% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRequires clean fuel standards to reduce carbon emissions, advancing environmental protection through mandatory greenhouse gas reductions in transportation fuels.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationRequires clean fuel standards for transportation sector, reducing emissions and promoting sustainable fuel use in infrastructure.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Electric Vehicles Renewable Energy Climate Change Electric Vehicles

in committee · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 995: RELATING TO RENEWABLE FUEL.

Establishes the sustainable aviation fuel import tax credit. Increases the renewable fuels production tax credit amount. Repeals the: (1) cap amount of claimable renewable fuels production tax credit; (2) requirement that the tax credit be claimed for fuels with lifecycle emissions below fossil fuels; and (3) prohibition on claiming other tax credits for the cost incurred to produce renewable fuels. Specifies that the renewable fuels production tax credit can only be claimed for fuels that meet the certain thresholds. Adds an additional tax credit value. Clarifies that a taxpayer who previously claimed a renewable fuels production tax credit may claim another one for taxable years beginning after 12/31/2024. Clarifies and expands required information in the certified statement for the tax credit. Repeals the requirement that the Hawaii State Energy Office provide the taxpayer with a determination of whether the lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions for each type of qualified fuel produced is lower than that of fossil fuels.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesIncreases renewable fuels tax credit amount and removes restrictions, providing direct tax incentives to producers. Explicitly advances tax policy for renewable energy sector.95% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyIncreases renewable fuels tax credits and removes barriers, promoting renewable energy adoption and reducing fossil fuel dependence.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentIncreases renewable fuel tax credits, removes production barriers, and promotes clean energy adoption per bill's focus on sustainable aviation fuel and renewable fuels production.85% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill provides tax credits for sustainable aviation fuel and renewable fuels, directly promoting cleaner transportation infrastructure and aligning with sustainable transportation goals.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Tax Credits Renewable Energy Climate Change Airports

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