SB 2373: DLNR; Nature-Based Carbon Sequestration; Carbon Emissions; Marine Ecosystem Restoration; Report

A BILL FOR AN ACT

RELATING TO CARBON SEQUESTRATION.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that climate change is occurring as a result of human activity, particularly the burning of fossil fuels and the concomitant release of carbon dioxide.  Thirty-four per cent of Hawaii's coastlines are vulnerable to intensifying coastal hazards resulting from accelerating sea level rise, according to a study performed by researchers at the university of Hawaii.

     The legislature further finds that in response to the growing threat of climate change, the State has set standards and launched initiatives to expand reliance on renewable energy, including setting a statewide benchmark of generating one hundred per cent of the State's electricity through renewable resources by 2045 and establishing a goal for the statewide greenhouse gas emissions limit to be at least fifty per cent below 2005 levels by 2030.

     The legislature additionally finds that, when S.C.R. No. 115, H.D. 1 (2025) was adopted, it affirmed the importance of marine ecosystem restoration in achieving the State's decarbonization goals.  Notably, this resolution also reasserted a commitment to strengthening carbon accounting methodologies to assist in the quantification and reduction of direct and indirect greenhouse gas emissions, including emissions reduction achieved through marine ecosystem restoration.

     The legislature also finds that the G7 Climate, Energy and Environment Ministers' Communique issued on April 16, 2023, affirmed the importance of nature-based solutions, including marine ecosystem restoration, in halting and reversing biodiversity loss, mitigating the impacts of climate change, and preserving and enhancing carbon sinks.

     Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to:

     (1)  Establish a goal of the State to strengthen nature-based solutions that reduce carbon emissions;

     (2)  Direct relevant state agencies that oversee natural resource management and carbon sequestration to identify opportunities for investing in nature-based solutions that reduce carbon emissions; and

     (3)  Authorize the department of land and natural resources to evaluate and develop methodologies to assist in the quantification of carbon emissions reductions that may be attained through marine ecosystem restoration and other nature-based solutions.

     SECTION 2.  Chapter 225P, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

     "§225P-    Nature-based carbon sequestration.  (a)  It shall be the goal of the State to strengthen nature-based solutions that reduce direct and indirect carbon emissions, including initiatives that promote carbon sequestration through marine ecosystem restoration.

     (b)  To the greatest extent possible, state agencies responsible for overseeing carbon sequestration and natural resource management shall identify opportunities for investing in nature-based solutions that reduce carbon emissions, including the restoration of oceanic, coastal, wetland, and other marine ecosystems.

     (c)  The department of land and natural resources may evaluate and develop methodologies to assist in the quantification of carbon emissions reductions that may be attained through marine ecosystem restoration and other nature-based solutions.

     (d)  Any projects undertaken pursuant to this section shall be assessed for:

     (1)  Carbon sequestration potential;

     (2)  Conservation capacity;

     (3)  Ability to mitigate risk of natural emergencies, including wildfires;

     (4)  Financial sustainability; and

     (5)  Alignment with the State's transition to a clean energy economy."

     SECTION 3.  The department of land and natural resources shall submit a report on its efforts to fulfill the purposes of this Act, including any proposed legislation, to the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular session of 2027.

     SECTION 4.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 5.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2050.

Report Title:

DLNR; Nature-Based Carbon Sequestration; Carbon Emissions; Marine Ecosystem Restoration; Report

Description:

Establishes a state goal to strengthen nature-based carbon emissions reduction solutions.  Directs certain state agencies to identify opportunities for investing in nature-based solutions that reduce carbon emissions.  Authorizes the Department of Land and Natural Resources to develop methodologies to quantify carbon emissions reductions through marine ecosystem restoration and nature-based solutions.  Requires a report to the Legislature.  Effective 7/1/2050.  (SD1)

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.

A BILL FOR AN ACT

relating to carbon sequestration.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that climate change is occurring as a result of human activity, particularly the burning of fossil fuels and the concomitant release of carbon dioxide.  Thirty-four per cent of Hawaii's coastlines are vulnerable to intensifying coastal hazards resulting from accelerating sea level rise, according to a study performed by researchers at the university of Hawaii.

     The legislature further finds that in response to the growing threat of climate change, the State has set standards and launched initiatives to expand reliance on renewable energy, including setting a statewide benchmark of generating one hundred per cent of the State's electricity through renewable resources by 2045 and establishing a goal for the statewide greenhouse gas emissions limit to be at least fifty per cent below 2005 levels by 2030.

     The legislature additionally finds that, when S.C.R. No. 115, H.D. 1 (2025) was adopted, it affirmed the importance of marine ecosystem restoration in achieving the State's decarbonization goals.  Notably, this resolution also reasserted a commitment to strengthening carbon accounting methodologies to assist in the quantification and reduction of direct and indirect greenhouse gas emissions, including emissions reduction achieved through marine ecosystem restoration.

     The legislature also finds that the G7 Climate, Energy, and Environment Ministers' Communique issued on April 16, 2023, affirmed the importance of nature-based solutions, including marine ecosystem restoration, in halting and reversing biodiversity loss, mitigating the impacts of climate change, and preserving and enhancing carbon sinks.

     Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to:

     (1)  Establish a goal of the State to strengthen nature-based solutions that reduce carbon emissions;

     (2)  Direct relevant state agencies that oversee natural resource management and carbon sequestration to identify opportunities for investing in nature-based solutions that reduce carbon emissions; and

     (3)  Authorize the Hawaii state energy office to evaluate and develop methodologies to assist in the quantification of carbon emissions reductions that may be attained through marine ecosystem restoration and other nature-based solutions.

     SECTION 2.  Chapter 225P, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

     "§225P-    Nature-based carbon sequestration.  (a)  It shall be the goal of the State to strengthen nature-based solutions that reduce direct and indirect carbon emissions, including initiatives that promote carbon sequestration through marine ecosystem restoration.

     (b)  To the greatest extent possible, state agencies responsible for overseeing carbon sequestration and natural resource management shall identify opportunities for investing in nature-based solutions that reduce carbon emissions, including the restoration of oceanic, coastal, wetland, and other marine ecosystems.

     (c)  The Hawaii state energy office may evaluate and develop methodologies to assist in the quantification of carbon emissions reductions that may be attained through marine ecosystem restoration and other nature-based solutions.

     (d)  Any projects undertaken pursuant to this section shall be assessed for:

     (1)  Carbon sequestration potential;

     (2)  Conservation capacity;

     (3)  Ability to mitigate risk of natural emergencies, including wildfires;

     (4)  Financial sustainability; and

     (5)  Alignment with the State’s transition to a clean energy economy."

     SECTION 3.  The Hawaii state energy office shall submit a report on its efforts to fulfill the purposes of this Act, including any proposed legislation, to the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular session of 2027.

     SECTION 4.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 5.  This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

Report Title:

HSEO; Nature-Based Carbon Sequestration; Carbon Emissions; Marine Ecosystem Restoration; Report

Description:

Establishes a state goal to strengthen nature-based carbon emissions reduction solutions.  Directs certain state agencies to identify opportunities for investing in nature-based solutions that reduce carbon emissions.  Authorizes the Hawaii State Energy Office to develop methodologies to quantify carbon emissions reductions through marine ecosystem restoration and nature-based solutions.  Requires a report to the Legislature.

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.

STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2483

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:     S.B. No. 2373

        S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2026

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committees on Agriculture and Environment and Energy and Intergovernmental Affairs, to which was referred S.B. No. 2373 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO CARBON SEQUESTRATION,"

beg leave to report as follows:

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to:

     (1)  Establish a state goal to strengthen nature-based carbon emissions reduction solutions;

     (2)  Direct certain state agencies to identify opportunities for investing in nature-based solutions that reduce carbon emissions;

     (3)  Authorize the Hawaii State Energy Office to develop methodologies to quantify carbon emissions reductions through marine ecosystem restoration and nature-based solutions; and

     (4)  Require a report to the Legislature.

     Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from the Imua Alliance, Climate Protectors Hawaiʻi, Hawaii Reef and Ocean Association, and one individual.

     Your Committees received comments on this measure from the Hawaii State Energy Office, Department of Land and Natural Resources, Office of Planning and Sustainable Development, National Environmental Health Association, and Life of the Land.

     Your Committees find that as an island chain, Hawaii is uniquely vulnerable to intensifying coastal hazards resulting from accelerating sea level rise.  In response to the growing threat of climate change, the State has set standards and launched initiatives to expand reliance on renewable energy and established goals for the statewide greenhouse gas emissions limits.  Your Committees further find that nature-based solutions, such as ecosystem and environmental protection and restoration, are cost-effective, durable approaches that both sequester carbon and enhance ecosystem services like coastal protection.  By prioritizing nature-based carbon sequestration solutions, this measure will support the State's long-term commitment to decarbonization.

     Your Committees acknowledge the concerns raised in testimony by the Hawaii State Energy Office that nature-based decarbonization methods may fall outside the scope of the Office's mandate.  Therefore, amendments to the measure are necessary to address this concern.

     Accordingly, your Committees have amended this measure by:

     (1)  Replacing the Hawaii State Energy Office with the Department of Land and Natural Resources to maintain jurisdiction and responsibility for nature-based carbon sequestration initiatives;

     (2)  Amending section 1 to reflect its amended purpose;

     (3)  Inserting an effective date of July 1, 2050, to encourage further discussion; and

     (4)  Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity and consistency.

     As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Agriculture and Environment and Energy and Intergovernmental Affairs that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2373, as amended herein, and recommend that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 2373, S.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Agriculture and Environment and Energy and Intergovernmental Affairs,