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HB1933 • 2026

RELATING TO THE COUNTIES.

RELATING TO THE COUNTIES.

Active

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

Sponsor
TAM
Last action
2026-01-28
Official status
Referred to WAL, JHA, referral sheet 3
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The official source does not specify how public notice must be given.

Counties Can Close Public Lands

This bill allows counties to close public lands when necessary to protect health, safety, or cultural resources.

What This Bill Does

  • Gives counties the power to close public lands if needed for health and safety reasons.
  • Allows counties to restrict activities on public land to preserve natural or cultural sites.

Who It Names or Affects

  • Counties in Hawaii
  • People who use public lands

Terms To Know

Public Lands
Land owned by the government and open to the public for activities like recreation.
Authorized Representative
A person or group that a county can give permission to act on its behalf.

Limits and Unknowns

  • The bill does not specify how long closures can last.
  • It is unclear what happens if people do not follow the restrictions set by counties.

Bill History

  1. 2026-01-28 H

    Referred to WAL, JHA, referral sheet 3

  2. 2026-01-26 H

    Introduced and Pass First Reading.

  3. 2026-01-23 H

    Pending introduction.

Official Summary Text

RELATING TO THE COUNTIES.
Counties; Public Lands; Closure
Authorizes the counties to close public lands when necessary to protect public health, ensure public safety, or preserve natural or cultural resources.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text 
HB1933

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

1933

THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026

STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

relating
to the counties
.

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

����
SECTION 1.
�
The legislature finds that the counties
manage and control public lands within their jurisdictions, including lands of
great natural, cultural, and recreational significance.
�
These lands are used by residents and
visitors and are essential to the public's enjoyment, health, and welfare.

����
The
legislature further finds that circumstances sometimes require the temporary or
permanent closure or restriction of public access to these lands.
�
These circumstances may include natural
disasters, hazardous conditions, wildfire risks, erosion, flooding, cultural
site preservation, public sanitation, and other threats to public health or
safety.

����
The
purpose of this Act is to authorize the counties to restrict or close public
lands under the county's jurisdiction when necessary to protect public health,
ensure public safety, or preserve natural or cultural resources.

����
SECTION
2.
�
Chapter 46, Hawaii Revised Statutes,
is amended by adding a new section to part V to be appropriately designated and
to read as follows:

����
"
�46-
��
��
Closure
or restriction of public use of county‑controlled property.
�
(a)
�
Each county, or the county's authorized
representative, may close or restrict the public use of any property under the county's
management or control when necessary to protect public health, ensure public safety,
or preserve natural or cultural resources.

����
(b)
�
Closures or restrictions under this section
may include the temporary or permanent:

����
(1)
�
Denial of access to specific areas;

����
(2)
�
Imposition or modification of hours
of operation;

����
(3)
�
Prohibition or limitation of
specified activities; or

����
(4)
�
Establishment of conditions for
entry or use.

����
(c)
�
The county shall give public notice of any
closure or restriction imposed under this section in a manner reasonably
calculated to inform the public, including the posting of appropriate signs at
or near the affected property, publication on the county's official website, or
by other reasonable means as determined by the county.

����
(d)
�
Nothing in this section shall be construed to
limit the authority of the county to close or restrict access for other lawful
reasons or under any other provisions of law.
"

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

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

INTRODUCED BY:

_____________________________

Report Title:

Counties;
Public Lands; Closure

Description:

Authorizes
the counties to close public lands when necessary to protect public health,
ensure public safety, or preserve natural or cultural resources.

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