Environment

in committee · Hawaii · House Dec 8, 2025

HB 1501: RELATING TO TREES.

Establishes base selection criteria for 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 six 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.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill establishes protections for significant trees via designations and advisory committees, conserving natural resources as part of environmental conservation efforts.90% confidence

Track

in committee · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 365: RELATING TO LEAF BLOWERS.

Beginning 1/1/2027, prohibits the sale or offer for sale of gasoline-powered leaf blowers. Repeals the exemption on leaf blower restrictions for government agencies.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyProhibits gasoline-powered leaf blowers, reducing fossil fuel use and dependence, aligning with energy policy goals of decreasing fossil fuel reliance.80% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill bans gasoline leaf blowers (a source of air pollution) to reduce emissions, directly advancing pollution control and environmental protection goals.95% confidence

Track

passed · Hawaii · House Feb 19, 2026

HB 2602: RELATING TO A SUSTAINABLE TOURISM INFRASTRUCTURE.

Establishes the sustainable tourism infrastructure matching grant program within the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism to support one-time capital investments that advance measurable sustainability and climate resilience outcomes within the State's visitor industry. Requires annual reports to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAppropriates funds for sustainable tourism infrastructure program, directly advancing state budget allocation for climate resilience initiatives.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentFunds sustainable tourism infrastructure with climate resilience goals, directly advancing environmental protection through measurable outcomes and appropriations.90% confidence

Track

passed · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 841: RELATING TO MARINE LIFE CONSERVATION DISTRICTS.

Requires the Department of Land and Natural Resources to establish and conduct a Marine Life Conservation District Carrying Capacity Program. Requires the Department of Land and Natural Resources to submit a report to the Legislature and adopt administrative rules. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill mandates DLNR to establish Marine Life Conservation Districts program with funding and carrying capacity rules, directly protecting marine ecosystems through conservation and management.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation

Track

in committee · Hawaii · House Dec 8, 2025

HB 317: RELATING TO THE STATE PARKS SPECIAL FUND.

Allows 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 allocates State Parks Special Fund moneys for environmental protection programs, directly funding conservation efforts.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Parks & Recreation

Track

in committee · Hawaii · House Dec 8, 2025

HB 913: RELATING TO THE DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES.

HB 913 appropriates funds to create new staff positions within the Department of Land and Natural Resources' Division of Aquatic Resources. This bill directly affects the division by providing resources for hiring additional personnel. It is a funding measure focused solely on staffing, with no policy changes or direct impact on the public or other agencies. The bill remains pending in the 2025 session.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill funds staff for Division of Aquatic Resources (DLNR), directly supporting environmental management of natural resources. No policy changes, but funding enables agency's environmental protection mission.85% confidence

Track

in committee · Hawaii · House Dec 8, 2025

HB 752: RELATING TO ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP FEES.

Effective 7/1/2027, establishes the Environmental Stewardship Fee Program within the Department of Land and Natural Resources, through which the Department will collect a fee from visitors for a license to visit a state park, forest, hiking trail, or other state natural area. Establishes the Environmental Stewardship Fee Special Fund effective 7/1/2025. Allocates a certain amount of transient accommodations tax revenues to the special fund. Requires report to the Legislature on strategic plan and timetable for objectives and implementation of the environmental stewardship fee program. Appropriates funds for the environmental stewardship fee strategic plan and positions for the Environmental Stewardship Fee Program.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates new visitor fee revenue and allocates transient tax revenues to environmental stewardship fund, directly funding public program through dedicated budget mechanism.90% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentCreates Environmental Stewardship Fee Program and Special Fund to directly fund conservation of natural areas through visitor fees and tax allocations.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Forestry Parks & Recreation

Track

passed both · Hawaii · House Apr 2, 2026

HB 918: RELATING TO LABELING.

Establishes labeling requirements for certain premoistened nonwoven disposable wipes. Requires certain manufacturers of covered products to submit for approval, their "DO NOT FLUSH" label notices and symbols to the United States Environmental Protection Agency by 1/1 2026. Appropriates funds. Effective 12/31/2050. (SD1)

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRequires EPA-approved 'DO NOT FLUSH' labels for wipes to prevent sewage pollution and environmental harm from improper disposal, directly advancing waste management and environmental protection standards.95% confidence

Track

passed · Hawaii · Senate Feb 20, 2026

SB 2374: RELATING TO A BLUE ECONOMY.

Establishes the Blue Economy Working Group to study how to develop and support marine-based economic activities that align with the State's decarbonization and restorative food production goals. Requires a report to the Legislature. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill explicitly ties marine economic activities to decarbonization goals, aligning with energy policies to reduce carbon emissions and promote clean energy infrastructure.85% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill establishes working group to align marine economic activities with decarbonization and marine ecosystem restoration goals, directly advancing environmental protection through climate-aligned economic development.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Climate Change Recycling

Track

passed · Hawaii · Senate Feb 20, 2026

SB 2426: 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. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentPromotes reef-safe mineral sunscreen at state beaches to protect coral ecosystems, directly advancing environmental conservation through funding and policy.95% confidence

Track