HB658 • 2026

RELATING TO ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW.

Active

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

Sponsor: HASHEM
Last action: 2025-12-08
Official status: Carried over to 2026 Regular Session.
Effective date: Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The official source material does not provide specific details about the maintenance of existing environmental standards or reduction in regulatory burdens, only that it aims to clarify the scope of chapter 343.

Clarity in Environmental Review

This bill aims to clarify the scope of activities requiring environmental review by excluding ongoing, permitted activities from chapter 343.

What This Bill Does

Defines 'action' as any new program or project that needs an environmental review.
Excludes ongoing and recurring activities already legally permitted under strict rules in state-managed areas like ocean recreation management areas, marine life conservation districts, and game management areas from needing additional environmental reviews.

Who It Names or Affects

Businesses and individuals involved in commercial boating and recreational activities in state-managed areas.
State agencies responsible for managing these areas.

Terms To Know

Environmental review: A process to evaluate the potential environmental impacts of a new project or program before it starts.
Chapter 343: The section in Hawaii Revised Statutes that outlines the rules for conducting environmental reviews.

Limits and Unknowns

Does not affect rights and duties that have already matured before its approval.
Does not specify how to handle penalties incurred or proceedings begun prior to its effective date.
The bill's exact impact on ongoing operations is unclear until it becomes law.

Bill History

2025-12-08 D
Carried over to 2026 Regular Session.
2025-02-11 H
The committee(s) on EEP recommend(s) that the measure be deferred.
2025-01-31 H
Bill scheduled to be heard by EEP on Tuesday, 02-11-25 10:15AM in House conference room 325 VIA VIDEOCONFERENCE.
2025-01-21 H
Referred to EEP, JHA, referral sheet 2
2025-01-21 H
Introduced and Pass First Reading.
2025-01-17 H
Pending introduction.

Official Summary Text

RELATING TO ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW.
Environmental Review; Permitted Activities
Clarifies the scope of an action subject to environmental review.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

HB658

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

658

THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2025

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.

�
The legislature finds that the State's
environmental review process under chapter 343, Hawaii Revised Statutes
(chapter 343), was designed to evaluate new projects having potential
environmental impacts.
�
However, recent
court decisions have broadened the definition of an environmental
"action."
�
The new definition
inadvertently includes long‑standing, historically permitted activities
in State‑managed areas like ocean recreation management areas, marine
life conservation districts, and game management areas.

����
The
legislature recognizes that this unintended expansion jeopardizes law-abiding
operations, including commercial boating, and recreational activities that are
already regulated under strict administrative rules that are designed to
protect Hawaii's natural resources.
�
The
legislature believes that subjecting these activities to additional review
under chapter 343 creates redundancies and disrupts compliant operations.

����
Accordingly,
the purpose of this Act is to maintain the State's environmental standards
while fostering regulatory efficiency by clarifying the scope of chapter 343 to
exclude activities that are already permitted and regulated.

����
SECTION
2
.
�
Section 343-2,
Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by amending the definition of
"action" to read as follows:

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""Action" means any program
or project to be initiated by any agency or applicant[
.
]
; provided
that the term does not include ongoing or recurring activities that have been
lawfully permitted and are governed by applicable administrative rules or
management plans within state-managed areas, including ocean recreation management
areas, marine life conservation districts, and game management areas.
"

����
SECTION 3.
�
This Act does not affect rights and duties
that matured, penalties that were incurred, and proceedings that were begun
before its effective date.

����
SECTION
4.
�
New statutory material is
underscored.

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SECTION 5.
�
This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

INTRODUCED
BY:

_____________________________

Report Title:

Environmental
Review; Permitted Activities

Description:

Clarifies
the scope of an action subject to environmental review.

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