HB1693 • 2026

RELATING TO CLIMATE CHANGE.

Energy

Active

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

Sponsor: KILA, ILAGAN, KEOHOKAPU-LEE LOY, KUSCH, MIYAKE, OLDS
Last action: 2026-01-26
Official status: Referred to EEP, TRN, FIN, referral sheet 1
Effective date: Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The official source material does not provide details on the requirements for other agencies beyond mentioning that they should give consideration to the impact of their decisions on achieving the state’s climate goals.

Bill to Change Climate Goals

This bill changes Hawaii's climate goals by extending a zero emissions target from 2045 to 2050 and exempts the Department of Transportation from this goal.

What This Bill Does

Extends the state’s goal for zero emissions from 2045 to 2050.
Keeps the current climate change goals but removes the Department of Transportation and transportation systems from these goals.

Who It Names or Affects

The state government, especially agencies that work on reducing emissions.
Transportation companies and services in Hawaii.

Terms To Know

Zero Emissions Clean Economy Target: A goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions so that the amount of carbon dioxide absorbed by natural processes is greater than what is released into the atmosphere.
Greenhouse Gas Emissions: Gases like carbon dioxide and methane that trap heat in the Earth's atmosphere, leading to climate change.

Limits and Unknowns

The bill does not specify how the Department of Transportation will meet its own environmental goals.
It is unclear what specific actions other agencies must take to achieve their climate targets.

Bill History

2026-01-26 H
Referred to EEP, TRN, FIN, referral sheet 1
2026-01-21 H
Introduced and Pass First Reading.
2026-01-20 H
Prefiled.

Official Summary Text

RELATING TO CLIMATE CHANGE.
Climate Change; Zero Emissions Clean Economy Target; Atmospheric Carbon and Greenhouse Gas Emissions; Transportation
Part I: Extends the Zero Emissions Clean Economy Target from 2045 to 2050. Part II: Maintains the existing Zero Emissions Clean Economy Target but exempts the Department of Transportation and transportation systems and services from the target.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

HB1693

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

1693

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:

PART I

����
SECTION
1
.
�
Section 225P-5, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is
amended by amending subsection (a) to read as follows:

����
"(a)
�
Considering both atmospheric carbon and
greenhouse gas emissions as well as offsets from the local sequestration of
atmospheric carbon and greenhouse gases through long-term sinks and reservoirs,
a statewide target [
is hereby
]
shall be
established to sequester
more atmospheric carbon and greenhouse gases than emitted within the State as
quickly as practicable, but no later than [
2045;
]
2050;
provided
that the statewide target
[
includes
]
shall
include

a greenhouse gas emissions limit, to be achieved no later than
2030, of at least fifty per cent below the level of the statewide greenhouse
gas emissions in 2005."

PART II

����
SECTION
2
.
�
Section 225P-5, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is
amended to read as follows:

����
"
�225P-5
�

Zero emissions clean economy target.
�

(a)
�
Considering both atmospheric
carbon and greenhouse gas emissions as well as offsets from the local
sequestration of atmospheric carbon and greenhouse gases through long-term
sinks and reservoirs, a statewide target
[
is hereby
]

shall be

established to sequester more atmospheric carbon and
greenhouse gases than emitted within the State as quickly as practicable, but
no later than 2045; provided that the statewide target [
includes
]
shall
include
a greenhouse gas emissions limit, to be achieved no later than
2030, of at least fifty per cent below the level of the statewide greenhouse
gas emissions in 2005.

����
(b)
�
The Hawaii climate change mitigation and
adaptation commission shall endeavor to achieve the goals of this section.
�
After January 1, 2020, agency plans,
decisions, and strategies shall give consideration to the impact of those
plans, decisions, and strategies on the State's ability to achieve the goals in
this section, weighed appropriately against their primary purpose.

����
(c)
�
This section shall not apply to the
department of transportation or to any transportation system or service.
"

PART III

����
SECTION
3.
�
Statutory material to be repealed is
bracketed and stricken.
�
New statutory
material is underscored.

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

INTRODUCED BY:

_____________________________

Report Title:

Climate
Change; Zero Emissions Clean Economy Target; Atmospheric Carbon and Greenhouse
Gas Emissions; Transportation

Description:

Part
I:
�
Extends the Zero Emissions Clean
Economy Target from 2045 to 2050.
�
Part
II:
�
Maintains the existing Zero
Emissions Clean Economy Target but exempts the Department of Transportation and
transportation systems and services from the target.

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