RELATING TO CLIMATE CHANGE.

HB1651

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

1651

THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026

STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

relating
to climate change
.

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

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SECTION
1.
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This Act shall be known and may be
cited as the "Climate Protection Plan Act of 2026".

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SECTION 2.
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The
legislature finds that the uncertainty of federal funding threatens dozens of
renewable and climate‑resilience projects already underway.
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The State's goals of one hundred per cent renewable
energy and carbon neutrality are now at risk.
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Without decisive planning, the State faces billions of dollars in future
climate-related costs, from sea‑level rise in Waikiki to homes collapsing
on the North Shore.

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Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to require the Hawaii
state energy office to contract with a
third-party
consultant
to develop a state climate protection plan by 2029 that will
serve as a science-based roadmap to ensure the State can continue developing
renewable energy resources and reducing harmful emissions even amid federal
cuts to climate programs.
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SECTION 3.
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(a) The Hawaii state energy office shall contract with a third-party
consultant, to create a climate protection plan that includes but is not
limited to:

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(1)
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A
clear vision that highlights a just transition to a net-zero economy, Native
Hawaiian values, and the State's existing climate and energy commitments;

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(2)
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Measurable
statewide and sectoral goals for emissions reduction, environmental resilience,
and climate equity, with a defined timeline and benchmarks;

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(3)
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Defined
roles for relevant state and local agencies, the climate change mitigation and adaptation
commission, and community partners, including Native Hawaiian organizations;

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(4)
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Greenhouse
gas inventories, projections, and reduction pathways consistent with the State's
existing net-zero targets;

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(5)
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Specific
strategies for the sectors of electricity, transportation, construction, and
agriculture and land use;

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(6)
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An
assessment of climate hazards specific to the State;

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(7)
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A
prioritization of resilience actions for preserving critical infrastructure,
housing and communities in zones at high risk for flooding, and key ecosystems,
including coral reefs, watersheds, and native forests;

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(8)
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The
identification of who in the population is most vulnerable to the impacts of
climate change, of how benefits and burdens of the plan are shared, and of how
frontline communities shape decisions;

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(9)
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The
integration of Native Hawaiian rights and knowledge systems into strategies;

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(10)
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The
arrangement of benefits of the plan, including jobs, clean energy, and
resilience investments, to flow first to overburdened and low-income
communities;

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(11)
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The
definition of the use of funding mechanisms, including federal climate funds,
state revenue tools, and public-private partnerships;

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(12)
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Implementation
plans with relevant agencies, timelines, performance indicators, and frameworks
for monitoring and evaluating progress;

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(13)
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A
commitment to regular public reporting, plan updates, and structured community
engagement processes;

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(14)
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An
evaluation of emerging technologies, including geothermal, hydrogen, carbon
capture, and nuclear microreactors; and

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(15)
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Behavioral
and fiscal incentives to accelerate the phaseout of fossil fuels.

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(b)
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The
Hawaii state energy office shall convene a climate protection advisory
committee to advise the third-party consultant in the creation of the climate
protection plan.
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The third-party
consultant and advisory group shall meet on a monthly basis.

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(c)
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The membership of the climate protection advisory committee shall
include at least one representative from the following bodies to be designated
by that body's head:

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(1)
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The
senate;

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(2)
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The
house of representatives;

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(3)
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The
office of planning and sustainable development;

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(4)
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The
Hawaii climate change mitigation and adaptation commission;

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(5)
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The
department of business, economic development, and tourism;

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(6)
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The
department of transportation;

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(7)
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The
department of health; and

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(8)
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The
university of Hawaii climate resilience collaborative.

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(d)
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The climate protection advisory committee shall invite the following
individuals to participate in the climate protection advisory committee:

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(1)
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An
expert in the area of energy;

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(2)
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An
expert in the area of agriculture;

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(3)
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An
expert in the area of equity;

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(4)
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An
expert in the area of private industry; and

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(5)
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A
representative from a youth-led nongovernmental organization that advocates for
climate protection.

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(e)
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The climate protection advisory committee shall elect its chairperson
from among its members.

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(f)
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Members of the climate protection advisory committee shall be designated
no later than August 1, 2026.
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(g)
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The members of the climate protection advisory committee shall not be
compensated for their services, but shall be reimbursed for necessary expenses,
including travel expenses, incurred while participating in meetings and events
approved by the chairperson.
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No member
of the climate protection advisory committee shall be made subject to chapter
84, Hawaii Revised Statues, solely because of the member's participation in the
climate protection advisory committee.

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(h)
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The
third-party consultant shall complete a scope of work for the climate
protection plan and submit it to the climate protection advisory committee no
later than December 1, 2026.
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The Hawaii state
energy office shall submit the complete climate protection plan to the
legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular
session of
2029.

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(i)
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The climate protection advisory committee shall dissolve on June 30, 2029.

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SECTION 4.
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There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii
the sum of $2,000,000 or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year
2026-2027 for the costs associated with expert consultation and modeling fees
and stakeholder engagement required by the third-party consultant and the climate
protection advisory committee for the purposes of this Act.

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The sum appropriated shall be expended by
the Hawaii state energy office for the purposes of this Act.

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SECTION 5.
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This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2026.

INTRODUCED BY:

_____________________________

Report Title:

HSEO;
Climate Protection Plan; Consultant Services; Climate Protection Advisory Committee;
Appropriation

Description:

Requires
the Hawaii State Energy Office to contract with a
third-party consultant
to develop a Climate Protection
Plan for delivery to the Legislature no later than twenty days prior to the
convening of the Regular Session of 2029.
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Establishes a Climate Protection Advisory Committee
to assist the
third-party consultant
.
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Appropriates funds.

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