RELATING TO ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW.

Taxes

Active

The official status still shows this bill as active or still awaiting another formal step.

Sponsor: POEPOE, AMATO, CHUN, GARRETT, HUSSEY, IWAMOTO, KILA, OLDS, PERRUSO, SOUZA, Lowen
Last action: 2026-02-03
Official status: The committee(s) on EEP recommend(s) that the measure be deferred.
Effective date: Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The official source material does not provide specific details about the exact time limits for FONSI and EIS validity.

Setting Time Limits for Environmental Reviews

This bill sets a time limit for the validity period of findings of no significant impact (FONSI) and acceptance of environmental impact statements (EIS).

What This Bill Does

Specifies a time limit for the validity of FONSI or EIS.
Requires agencies and applicants to start a new environmental review process if the validity expires.

Who It Names or Affects

Environmental agencies
Project applicants who need environmental reviews

Terms To Know

Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI): A conclusion that a proposed action will not have a significant effect on the environment.
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS): A detailed document analyzing the potential environmental effects of a proposed project or action.

Limits and Unknowns

The bill does not specify exact time limits for FONSI and EIS validity.
It is unclear how this will affect ongoing projects that have already completed their reviews.

Bill History

2026-02-03 H
The committee(s) on EEP recommend(s) that the measure be deferred.
2026-01-30 H
Bill scheduled to be heard by EEP on Tuesday, 02-03-26 9:30AM in House conference room 325 VIA VIDEOCONFERENCE.
2026-01-26 H
Referred to EEP, JHA, referral sheet 1
2026-01-21 H
Introduced and Pass First Reading.
2026-01-14 H
Prefiled.

Official Summary Text

RELATING TO ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW.
Environmental Review; FONSI; Acceptance of EIS; Validity; Time Limit
Specifies a time limit for the validity of a finding of no significant impact of a final environmental assessment or acceptance of a final environmental impact statement for a proposed action. Requires an agency or applicant to commence a new environmental review process for the proposed action if the validity expires.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

HB1543

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

1543

THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026

STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

relating
to environmentAL REVIEW
.

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

����
SECTION 1.
�
Chapter 343, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is
amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as
follows:

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"
�343-
�
Time
limit on validity of certain determinations.
�
(a)
�
Any finding of no significant impact of a
final environmental assessment or acceptance of a final environmental impact
statement for a proposed action shall be valid until the latter of:

����
(1)
�

years
after the finding or acceptance; or

����
(2)
�
If any judicial
proceeding is initiated pursuant to section 343-7, years
after any court order issuing a finding of no significant impact of a final
environmental assessment or acceptance of a final environmental impact
statement for the proposed action.

����
(b)
�

Upon the expiration of validity of a finding of no significant impact of
a final environmental assessment or acceptance of a final environmental impact
statement for a proposed action pursuant to subsection (a), an agency or applicant
shall commence a new environmental review process in accordance with this
chapter to determine whether the proposed action may proceed.
"

����
SECTION 2.
�
This Act does not affect rights and duties
that matured, penalties that were incurred, and proceedings that were begun
before its effective date.

����
SECTION 3.
�
New statutory material is underscored.

����
SECTION 4.
�
This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

INTRODUCED BY:

_____________________________

Report Title:

Environmental
Review; FONSI; Acceptance of EIS; Validity; Time Limit

Description:

Specifies
a time limit for the validity
of a finding of no significant impact of a
final environmental assessment or acceptance of a final environmental impact
statement for a proposed action.
�

Requires an agency or applicant to commence a new environmental review
process for the proposed action if the

validity expires.

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