Environment

in committee · Hawaii · Senate Mar 19, 2026

SCR 73: REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES AND BOARD OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES TO EXEMPT ANY AGRICULTURAL ENTERPRISE PRACTICING DIVERSIFIED AGRICULTURE ON FORMER SUGARCANE LANDS WITHIN THE CONSERVATION DISTRICT FROM ANY REQUIREMENT FOR A PERMIT OR SIGHT PLAN APPROVAL GRANTED BY THE DEPARTMENT.

This Senate Concurrent Resolution asks the Department of Land and Natural Resources and the Board of Land and Natural Resources to exempt agricultural enterprises that practice diversified farming on former sugarcane lands within the Conservation District from needing permits or sight plan approvals. The bill targets farmers and ranchers who want to use these specific lands for growing multiple types of crops, which currently faces a lengthy permitting process that can take up to 180 days. By removing the permit requirement for these specific agricultural activities, the resolution aims to reduce administrative delays and encourage the reuse of former plantation lands. The request is directed at state agencies to implement this exemption, though it does not change existing laws or create new regulations.

Topics ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentBill exempts agricultural enterprises from permit requirements in conservation districts, potentially weakening environmental protections and conservation standards.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Tags Agriculture

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in committee · Hawaii · Senate Mar 19, 2026

SR 67: REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES AND BOARD OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES TO EXEMPT ANY AGRICULTURAL ENTERPRISE PRACTICING DIVERSIFIED AGRICULTURE ON FORMER SUGARCANE LANDS WITHIN THE CONSERVATION DISTRICT FROM ANY REQUIREMENT FOR A PERMIT OR SIGHT PLAN APPROVAL GRANTED BY THE DEPARTMENT.

This Senate Resolution asks the Department of Land and Natural Resources and the Board of Land and Natural Resources to exempt agricultural businesses that practice diversified farming on former sugarcane lands within the Conservation District from needing permits or sight plan approvals. The bill aims to reduce regulatory burdens and processing delays that currently discourage farmers from using these lands for local food production. If adopted, the exemption would allow eligible agricultural enterprises to operate without undergoing the standard permitting process that can take up to 180 days to complete. The resolution does not change existing laws but requests an administrative adjustment to support food system resilience and land reuse goals.

Topics ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentBill exempts agricultural enterprises from permit requirements in conservation districts, potentially weakening environmental protections and conservation standards for former sugarcane lands.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation

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in committee · Hawaii · House Feb 2, 2026

HB 2352: RELATING TO CESSPOOLS.

HB 2352 repeals a requirement that all cesspools in the state must be upgraded, converted, or connected to sewer systems by 2050. This directly affects property owners who currently rely on cesspools, particularly in areas without sewer infrastructure. The bill removes the existing deadline, eliminating a specific timeline for these changes. It does not create new requirements but cancels the previously mandated 2050 compliance date.

Topics ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentRepeals 2050 deadline for cesspool upgrades, removing requirement that would reduce groundwater pollution from outdated systems95% confidence

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Feb 20, 2026

SB 2547: RELATING TO THE COASTAL ZONE MANAGEMENT ACT.

Amends the definition of "development," as it pertains to coastal zone management, to exclude any state- or county-funded infrastructure improvement project that is exempted from an environmental assessment or determined as a finding of no significant impact under chapter 343, HRS. Applies only to zones established in Lahaina in the aftermath of the 2023 Maui wildfires that have been designated for reentry by the State or county of Maui as of January 1, 2026. Effective 7/1/2050. Sunsets 6/30/2029. (SD1)

Topics ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentExempts infrastructure projects from coastal development regulations, reducing oversight for potential environmental impacts in sensitive zones.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Coastal & Flood Protection

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in committee · Hawaii · Senate Jan 21, 2026

SB 668: RELATING TO WASTE OR DISPOSAL FACILITIES.

Prohibits the construction, modification, or expansion of any waste or disposal facility on land that is near or above a significant aquifer as determined by the Department of Health. Reduces the required buffer zone around waste or disposal facilities.

Topics ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentReduces buffer zones around waste facilities near aquifers, weakening water protection measures and environmental safeguards.90% confidence

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in committee · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 1499: RELATING TO RENEWABLE PORTFOLIO STANDARDS.

SB 1499 repeals the Public Utilities Commission's authority to impose penalties on electric utility companies that fail to meet renewable energy targets. This bill directly affects electric utilities by removing a regulatory enforcement mechanism. The key provision eliminates the PUC's power to fine companies for not meeting existing renewable portfolio standards, though it does not change the standards themselves. The bill is procedural in nature, focusing on regulatory authority rather than new policy requirements. It is currently pending introduction for the 2025 session.

Topics ✗ EnergyOpposes EnergyRepeals PUC penalties for failing renewable targets, weakening enforcement of renewable portfolio standards without changing the standards themselves.95% confidence ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentRepeals penalties for failing to meet renewable energy targets, weakening enforcement of renewable portfolio standards designed to protect environment.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Renewable Energy

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passed · Hawaii · House Mar 10, 2026

HB 1650: RELATING TO ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENTS.

HB 1650 removes the requirement for environmental assessments under Hawaii Revised Statutes §343-5 for proposed actions within the Waikiki special district. This change directly affects developers and projects in Waikiki by exempting them from the standard environmental review process. The bill’s key provision eliminates the need for these assessments, effective July 1, 3000. This is a specific regulatory change targeting projects in that designated area only.

Topics ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentRemoves mandatory environmental assessments for Waikiki projects, weakening regulatory oversight and prioritizing development over environmental review per bill's explicit language.92% confidence

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passed · Hawaii · House Feb 2, 2026

HB 661: RELATING TO ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW.

Permits, under certain circumstances, a previously permitted or authorized activity challenged as being subject to environmental review to continue while the applicable agency or applicant conducts an environmental assessment, prepares an environmental impact statement, or determines whether the activity is exempt. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Topics ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentAllows permitted activities to continue during environmental review, potentially delaying or reducing regulatory scrutiny, indicating weakened environmental protections.85% confidence

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in committee · Hawaii · House Jan 26, 2026

HB 1745: RELATING TO THE HAWAII CLEAN ENERGY INITIATIVE.

Replaces the State's renewable portfolio standard of 100 per cent renewable energy generation by 2045 with the original mandate for 70 per cent by 12/31/2045.

Topics ✗ EnergyOpposes EnergyBill reduces renewable energy target from 100% to 70% by 2045, weakening clean energy standards per original mandate.95% confidence ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentBill reduces Hawaii's renewable energy target from 100% to 70% by 2045, weakening climate action and environmental protection goals.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Renewable Energy

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signed · Hawaii · House Jun 4, 2026

HB 1823: RELATING TO THE COASTAL ZONE MANAGEMENT ACT.

Applies a definition of "development" to special management areas within counties with a population between one hundred fifty thousand and two hundred thousand to exempt from special management area use permit requirements all activities that are not included within the definition, including certain federal-, state-, or county-funded, authorized, or implemented infrastructure and improvement projects that are exempt from an environmental assessment or for which a finding of no significant impact has been issued. Sunsets 6/30/2030. (CD2)

Topics ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentExempts infrastructure projects from permitting requirements, reducing regulatory oversight for coastal development activities.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Coastal & Flood Protection