Environment

passed · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 103: RELATING TO ELECTRIC VEHICLE BATTERIES.

Establishes a two-year Electric Vehicle Battery Recycling and Reuse Working Group within the Hawaii State Energy Office. Requires the working group to examine how to maximize the recycling and reuse of electric vehicle batteries and recommend electric vehicle battery management practices. Requires a report to the Legislature. (SD1)

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyPromotes EV battery recycling/reuse, supporting clean energy infrastructure and sustainable EV adoption, aligning with renewable energy goals.85% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill establishes a working group to maximize EV battery recycling/reuse, reducing waste and environmental impact while supporting clean energy infrastructure transition.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Electric Vehicles Energy Storage Recycling

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in committee · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 680: RELATING TO RENEWABLE ENERGY.

SB 680 removes biomass energy from the definition of "renewable energy" used in the state's renewable portfolio standard (RPS). This means utility companies will no longer be required to count biomass energy toward their mandated renewable energy targets under the RPS. The bill directly affects electricity providers responsible for meeting state renewable energy requirements. The change simplifies compliance by excluding biomass from the RPS calculation, though it does not alter other renewable energy incentives or programs.

Topics ✗ EnergyOpposes EnergyRemoves biomass from RPS definition, weakening renewable energy standards by reducing required renewable sources for utilities.95% confidence ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentRemoves biomass from RPS definition, reducing renewable energy requirements and weakening environmental goals by excluding a source from mandated targets.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Renewable Energy

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Mar 12, 2026

SB 2713: RELATING TO PESTICIDE BUFFER ZONES.

Beginning 1/1/2027, prohibits the application of restricted use pesticides within a half-mile radius of elderly health care facilities, with certain exemptions. (SD1)

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRestricts pesticide use near facilities, reducing environmental pollution and protecting ecosystems from chemical runoff per bill's prohibition of restricted pesticides within half-mile zones.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareProhibits pesticides near elderly healthcare facilities to protect resident health, directly advancing healthcare safety protections.95% confidence

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 677: RELATING TO A CLIMATE ADAPTATION AND RESILIENCE IMPLEMENTATION PLAN.

Requires the Office of Planning and Sustainable Development to develop and publish a Hawaii climate adaptation and resilience implementation plan. Requires a report to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. Effective 1/1/2050. (SD1)

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentMandates climate adaptation plan development, requires report, and appropriates funds for environmental resilience. Directly advances climate protection through planning and funding.95% confidence

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in committee · Hawaii · Senate Jan 21, 2026

SB 210: RELATING TO PUBLIC LANDS.

Prohibits the Department of Land and Natural Resources from approving any land disposition to the United States military that allows for or facilitates any military training activities on the subject lands. Requires that any lease or lease extension between the State and the US Department of Defense or branches of the US military include certain provisions, including an acknowledgement that the State retains authority over all environmental matters within its jurisdiction. Provides that violation of state or federal environmental law, or any law, rule, or order on a matter affecting the health and safety of the State's residents, shall be grounds for terminating the lease.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRequires state environmental authority retention in military leases, preventing military activities from overriding state environmental regulations.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Lands

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in committee · Hawaii · Senate Jan 21, 2026

SB 315: RELATING TO FERAL PIGS.

Creates an expedited permitting process to authorize the destruction or control of feral pigs on privately owned land, if the feral pigs have caused or are likely to cause substantial damage to agricultural or aquacultural crops, indigenous plants or wildlife, or pose a threat to human health and safety.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill enables feral pig control to protect indigenous plants/wildlife, aligning with conservation goals under environmental protection.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Wildlife

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 984: RELATING TO WATER POLLUTION.

Requires a landowner in possession of ten thousand or more acres in the State to be liable for damages and fines arising from runoff originating on the land and entering into state waters. Requires the Department of Health to prioritize enforcement of water pollution control regulations in rural areas where there are existing reports of runoff and other terms of water pollution. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRequires landowners to pay damages/fines for runoff pollution, mandates DOH enforcement in rural areas with runoff reports - strengthens water pollution control regulations.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Water Quality

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 11: RELATING TO VEGETATION MANAGEMENT NEAR UTILITY LINES.

Requires the Department of Land and Natural Resources to create and annually update a wildfire hazard map. Requires private and public property owners to trim grasses within certain proximities of public rights of way and utility lines, enforced by the State Fire Marshal as to State-owned land and the applicable county fire department as to privately owned land. Authorizes electric utility companies to enter private or public property to trim or remove hazardous vegetation. Appropriates funds. Effective 6/1/2050. (SD2)

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill mandates vegetation management near utility lines to reduce wildfire risks, protecting natural resources and ecosystems through hazard mapping and property owner obligations.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Forestry

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in committee · Hawaii · Senate Jan 26, 2026

SB 2213: RELATING TO ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION.

Requires the Department of Education to establish a statewide Environmental Stewardship Curricula Plan for public schools for certain students. Beginning with the 2027-2028 school year, requires public schools to offer an environmental stewardship course for certain students. Requires the Department of Education to establish and administer sustainability programs, including recycling and composting programs, to be implemented at public schools. Beginning 7/1/27, prohibits the use or distribution of single-use plastic utensils, trays, straws, and other disposable plastic food service products in public school cafeterias. Beginning 7/1/28, requires each public school to have at least one operational refillable water bottle filling station accessible to students and staff. Requires reports to the Board of Education and the Legislature. Appropriates funds.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates environmental stewardship curriculum and sustainability programs in public schools, enhancing educational offerings per bill requirements.92% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentMandates environmental stewardship curriculum, sustainability programs (recycling/composting), and prohibits single-use plastics to advance environmental protection in schools.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Student Health Recycling Water Quality

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in committee · Hawaii · Senate Jan 21, 2026

SB 590: 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 authorizes State Parks Special Fund moneys for environmental protection programs, directly advancing conservation efforts per summary and subjects.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Parks & Recreation

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