Bills

SB 3154: DOT; National Environmental Policy Act; NEPA Assignment

  • Session Year: 2025-2026
  • House: Senate
  • Latest Version Date: 2026-04-28

Current Status:

Passed

(2026-05-26: Act 038, on 05/26/2026 (Gov. Msg. No. 1138).)

Introduced

In Committee

First Chamber

In Committee

Second Chamber

Final Decking

Enacted

What does this bill do?

This bill lets the Hawaii Department of Transportation take over certain federal environmental review duties under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) for highway, rail, public transit, and other multimodal projects in the state. It allows DOT to make agreements with the U.S. Department of Transportation to use federal tools like categorical exclusions (projects that don’t need full studies) and the federal project delivery program, and to adopt federal environmental standards. The bill also provides a limited waiver of the State’s sovereign immunity so DOT can be sued in federal court for actions tied to those duties, within federal limits and while an agreement is in effect.

The summary is provided by generative AI which can make mistakes. For original language, please view the details in the table below.

Version:

Authorizes the Department of Transportation to assume responsibilities under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 for highway projects, as well as railroad, public transportation, or multimodal projects within the State, allowing streamlined environmental reviews.  Provides a limited waiver of sovereign immunity to comply with federal requirements.  (CD1)

Discussed in Hearing

Conference Committee 3MIN
Apr 24, 2026

Conference Committee

House Standing Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs 51SEC
Apr 2, 2026

House Standing Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs

House Standing Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs 34SEC
Apr 2, 2026

House Standing Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs

House Standing Committee on Energy & Environmental Protection 32SEC
Mar 24, 2026

House Standing Committee on Energy & Environmental Protection

House Standing Committee on Energy & Environmental Protection 1MIN
Mar 24, 2026

House Standing Committee on Energy & Environmental Protection

House Standing Committee on Transportation 49SEC
Mar 17, 2026

House Standing Committee on Transportation

House Standing Committee on Transportation 2MIN
Mar 17, 2026

House Standing Committee on Transportation

Senate Standing Committee on Judiciary 26SEC
Mar 5, 2026

Senate Standing Committee on Judiciary

View Older Hearings
Authors shown for version:
SB3154_CD1 (4/28/2026)