Environment

signed · Hawaii · Senate Jun 24, 2026

SB 2983: RELATING TO NATURAL RESOURCES.

SB 2983 makes damaging or destroying trees on state or county property a misdemeanor offense. It directly affects individuals who intentionally harm trees in public spaces like parks, roadsides, or government land. The bill establishes a new criminal penalty for this action, treating it as a misdemeanor rather than a civil violation. This changes the legal consequence for tree destruction on public land, creating a clear criminal pathway for enforcement.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill criminalizes tree destruction on public land, strengthening conservation enforcement and protecting natural resources as direct environmental protection.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Lands

passed both · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 746: RELATING TO INVASIVE SPECIES.

Establishes a two-year coconut rhinoceros beetle eradication pilot program in certain areas under the Department of Land and Natural Resources that incentivizes community members to collect and submit the coconut rhinoceros beetle and its larvae for compensation. Requires a report to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill establishes invasive species eradication program to protect ecosystems, funds community efforts against coconut rhinoceros beetle, directly aligns with environmental conservation goals.95% confidence

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in committee · Hawaii · Senate Jan 22, 2026

SB 2012: RELATING TO TAXATION.

SB 2012 removes a limit on the amount of property transfer tax revenue that must be directed to the land conservation fund. This change directly affects the land conservation fund by allowing it to receive all available conveyance tax revenue without a previously set maximum. The key mechanism is repealing the existing cap, meaning more funds could flow to land conservation projects as property transfers occur. This policy change shifts how tax revenue is allocated, increasing potential funding for land conservation efforts.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesRemoves cap on conveyance tax revenue for land conservation, increasing funding allocation to a government program without restricting tax revenue.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRemoves cap on conveyance tax revenue for land conservation fund, increasing funding for environmental conservation projects.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Revenue Conservation

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in committee · Hawaii · Senate Jan 26, 2026

SB 2370: RELATING TO RENEWABLE ENERGY.

Before January 1, 2028, requires every renewable energy source with measurable carbon dioxide emissions that is regulated by the Clean Air Branch of the Department of Health to operate an in-stack carbon dioxide continuous emissions monitoring system in each smokestack. Establishes carbon dioxide emissions rate standards for renewable energy sources for compliance with renewable portfolio standards.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyMandates emissions monitoring and sets standards for renewable energy compliance, strengthening renewable portfolio standards per bill summary.90% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentMandates CO2 emissions monitoring and sets rate standards for renewable energy sources, reducing emissions and strengthening environmental regulations under renewable portfolio standards.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Renewable Energy Air Quality

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signed · Hawaii · Senate Jul 10, 2026

SB 3253: RELATING TO CONSERVATION.

Recognizes the Hawaii Conservation Sanctuary as a nonprofit entity established pursuant to Senate Resolution 94, Senate Draft 1, Regular Session of 2026, to protect and expand populations of endangered species and other wildlife in the State. (CD1)

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentEstablishes Hawaii Conservation Sanctuary to support conservation, wildlife preservation, and ancillary programs with DLNR, directly advancing environmental protection.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Wildlife

in committee · Hawaii · Senate Jan 28, 2026

SB 2534: PROPOSING AN AMENDMENT TO THE HAWAII STATE CONSTITUTION TO PROHIBIT DESTRUCTIVE LIVE-FIRE MILITARY TRAINING ON PUBLIC LANDS.

SB 2534 proposes a constitutional amendment to ban destructive live-fire military training on Hawaii's state public trust lands. This would directly affect military operations conducted on these lands, which are managed for public use and conservation. The bill's key mechanism is amending the state constitution to prohibit such training, requiring voter approval if passed by the legislature. This is a policy change that would restrict current military training practices on specific state-owned lands, not a temporary law. The bill is currently in early stages (introduced and passed first reading) with no further action yet.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentProhibits destructive military training on conservation-managed public lands, directly protecting ecosystems and aligning with public trust land conservation goals.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Public Lands

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in committee · Hawaii · House Feb 17, 2026

HB 1981: RELATING TO A PROGRAM TO CHARACTERIZE CARBON SEQUESTRATION POTENTIAL AND GEOTHERMAL AND UNDERGROUND WATER RESOURCES STATEWIDE.

Establishes a Geothermal, Carbon Sequestration, and Underground Water Resource Characterization Program via slim hole bores and a related statewide environmental assessment. Appropriates funds for the program. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAppropriates funds for new geothermal/carbon sequestration program, directly allocating budget resources per bill's funding language.95% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyFunds geothermal exploration and carbon sequestration program, advancing renewable energy infrastructure and resource characterization per bill's appropriations and subjects.92% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentFunds carbon sequestration and geothermal programs, promoting clean energy and carbon capture, directly advancing environmental protection goals.95% confidence

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in committee · Hawaii · House Feb 10, 2026

HB 2245: RELATING TO THE ENVIRONMENT.

Beginning 7/1/2027, requires newly installed or modified individual wastewater systems that are near the shoreline or on highly porous soils to include denitrification capacity. Requires the Department of Health to reduce requirements for disposal systems connected to wastewater systems with denitrification capacity. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentMandates denitrification in wastewater systems near shorelines to reduce nitrogen pollution in nearshore waters, directly strengthening water quality protections.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Coastal & Flood Protection Water Quality

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 52: RELATING TO CARBON OFFSETS.

Requires the Department of Transportation to assist and enable a person to voluntarily purchase a verified carbon offset for carbon dioxide emissions resulting from the person's air travel to or from an airport in the State. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyRequires verified carbon offsets for air travel emissions, advancing climate goals and reducing fossil fuel dependence through market-based emissions mitigation.90% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRequires verified carbon offsets for air travel emissions, directly reducing net carbon footprint and aligning with climate protection goals.95% confidence

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in committee · Hawaii · House Dec 8, 2025

HB 787: RELATING TO DECARBONIZATION.

Requires the Hawaii Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Commission to study the feasibility of implementing a "buy clean" decarbonization policy and program in Hawaii. Requires administrative and substantive support from the Department of Land and Natural Resources. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill mandates study of 'buy clean' decarbonization policy to reduce carbon emissions, aligning with renewable energy promotion and carbon reduction goals.90% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentMandates study of 'buy clean' decarbonization policy to reduce emissions, requiring DLNR support and funding for climate mitigation efforts.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Climate Change

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