Environment (Hazardous Materials)

This bill, signed into law by the Governor of Hawaii on July 7, 2026, bans the sale of disposable electronic smoking devices statewide starting January 1, 2027. The legislation defines these devices as non-refillable units with non-rechargeable batteries intended for single use and prohibits any person or entity from selling, offering for sale, or distributing them. Violations of the ban are subject to a fine of up to $100 per day for each instance. The law aims to address environmental concerns such as plastic pollution, hazardous waste from lithium batteries, and fire risks associated with improper disposal of these products.

This bill proposes changes to the 2027 state budget for two departments: Land and Natural Resources and Agriculture and Biosecurity. It directs the legislature to approve additional funding for specific projects, including $3 million for land management activities like hazardous material cleanup and debris removal, and $28.8 million for improvements to the Wahiawa Dam. The legislation also adds $4 million for environmental testing and remediation work at Lake Wilson to address contamination and protect public health. These adjustments update the executive supplemental budget requests to reflect new financial needs for these state programs.

This resolution urges the U.S. Department of Defense to review and potentially reopen its environmental cleanup decisions at military sites in Hawaii, specifically regarding per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). It calls for expanded investigations beyond areas previously linked to firefighting foam to include all historical uses of PFAS-containing materials, equipment, and waste streams at military facilities. The measure requests that the Department of Defense apply updated scientific knowledge and recent federal hazardous substance designations to assess groundwater, soil, and water contamination more thoroughly before closing sites.

This Senate Concurrent Resolution urges the U.S. Department of Defense to reevaluate past environmental cleanup decisions at Hawaii military bases in light of new scientific knowledge about PFAS chemicals and recent federal designations. The bill asks the military to expand its investigations beyond areas affected by firefighting foam to include all potential sources of PFAS contamination across industrial sites, medical facilities, and former operating locations. It specifically requests that the Department of Defense conduct additional site inspections and assessments where contamination may not have been fully evaluated, ensuring broader sampling of soil, water, and other environmental pathways. The resolution aims to provide greater transparency about environmental conditions before state negotiations regarding military land leases.

Requires the Department of Health to establish and administer a centralized reporting system for the public to report solid waste pollution complaints. Increases penalties for solid waste pollution violations. Establishes a state-county illegal dumping task force and reporting requirements. Increases penalties for felony and petty misdemeanor disposal of solid waste. Effective 1/30/2050. (SD1)