How lawmakers are addressing climate change

Illustrating how important the issue is to an island state, around 45% of all bills passed by the Hawaiʻi Legislature in 2025 addressed climate change. The most significant measure signed into law by Gov.Josh Green instituted a “green fee” by increasing hotel room taxes to help generate an estimated $100 million in annual revenue to support natural resource protection and climate resilience efforts. The bill is believed to be the first of its kind in the nation.

Quick Facts

Threatened species: Hawaiʻi has a high proportion of endangered plants and animals because of its unique and isolated ecosystems.
Diversity: The Hawaiian Islands claim 10 of the world’s 14 climate zones, the only place on Earth with so many concentrated in one small area.
Wildfires: The wildfires of 2023 that destroyed much of Lahaina killed at least 102 people, destroyed over 2,200 structures and cost billions of dollars in property damage — making it the deadliest U.S. wildfire in more than 100 years.
Climate: The Hawai’i Clean Energy Initiative calls for achieving 100% renewable energy electricity generation by 2045.

Climate Bills

In Focus

Here are all of the bills considered in the current session involving climate change and the environment. Highlighted bills are identified by Civil Beat as among the most significant this year. “In progress” status includes bills that may have been deferred but are technically still alive until the end of the two-year Legislature.

SB 1396 Passed

RELATING TO ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Beginning 7/1/2025, requires the Governor to request in the executive budget or supplemental budget that an amount of general funds that approximates the additional Transient Accommodations Tax revenue generated by this Act be expended to advance certain climate change mitigation and tourism projects. Increases the Transient Accommodations Tax rate beginning on 1/1/2026. Assesses the Transient Accommodations Tax on gross rental proceeds derived from cruise fares. Amends the amount of Transient Accommodation Tax that shall be deposited into the Mass Transit Special Fund. Amends the allowable uses of the Special Land and Development Fund and the portion of Transient Accommodations Tax collections that are allocated to the Special Land and Development Fund. Effective 1/1/2026. (CD2)

SB 223 Passed

RELATING TO FIRE PREVENTION

Brandon Elefante

Requires the Department of Land and Natural Resources to establish an independent program relating to the prevention, control, and extinguishment of wildland fires within forest reserves. Authorizes the Administrator of Forestry and Wildlife to establish and maintain facilities for the performance of fire protection, fire prevention, pest control, and forest and range protection and enhancement activities. Allows the State Fire Council to amend the State Fire Code to require certain owners and occupants of properties and holders of easements located in hazardous fire areas to maintain effective firebreaks and to practice other fire prevention activities. Requires the Department of Land and Natural Resources to establish and implement the Community Fuels Reduction Project. Requires reports to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. (CD1)

HB 1064 Passed

RELATING TO FIRE PROTECTION

Effectuates the recommendations of the "Phase 3" Forward-Looking Report by Fire Safety Research Institute on the 2023 Maui wildfires and further clarifies the appointment and role of the State Fire Marshal. Establishes the Office of the State Fire Marshal in the Department of Law Enforcement. Establishes the State Fire Marshal Selection Commission. Requires reports to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. (CD1)

HB 732 Passed

RELATING TO SHORELINE MANAGEMENT AREAS

Luke Evslin

Increases the valuation of development that determines the necessity of a special management area minor permit to 0,000, under certain conditions, and a special management area use permit to 0,000, with both 0,000 valuation thresholds to be adjusted every five years for inflation. (CD1)

HB 2101

OFFICE OF HAWAIIAN AFFAIRS PACKAGE; DLNR; BLNR; AQUATIC RESOURCES; FISHING REGULATIONS; COMMERCIAL AQUARIUM COLLECTION; SUSTAINABILITY; PROHIBITION

Committee: House Standing Committee on Energy & Environmental Protection

In Progress

OFFICE OF HAWAIIAN AFFAIRS PACKAGE; DLNR; BLNR; AQUATIC RESOURCES; FISHING REGULATIONS; COMMERCIAL AQUARIUM COLLECTION; SUSTAINABILITY; PROHIBITIONCommittee: House Standing Committee on Energy & Environmental Protection

HB 2195

DOT; TAT; CRUISE SHIPS; PASSENGER HEAD INFRASTRUCTURE FEE; CRUISE SHIP SPECIAL FUND

Committee: House Standing Committee on Transportation

In Progress

DOT; TAT; CRUISE SHIPS; PASSENGER HEAD INFRASTRUCTURE FEE; CRUISE SHIP SPECIAL FUNDCommittee: House Standing Committee on Transportation

HB 2030

DOT; CLEAN VEHICLE; REBATE; ENVIRONMENT; SPECIAL FUND; GENERAL EXCISE TAX; DOTAX