HB950 • 2026

RELATING TO BI-LEVEL LIGHTING SYSTEMS.

Energy

Active

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

Sponsor: EVSLIN
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 enforcement mechanisms or penalties for non-compliance.

Bi-Level Lighting Systems in State Buildings

This bill requires all newly constructed state buildings and facilities to use bi-level lighting systems starting January 1, 2026.

What This Bill Does

Requires all newly constructed state buildings and facilities to use only bi-level lighting systems from January 1, 2026.
Adds a new section in Hawaii Revised Statutes to enforce the requirement.

Who It Names or Affects

State agencies responsible for building and maintaining state buildings and facilities.

Terms To Know

Bi-level lighting systems: Energy-efficient lighting systems that use motion sensors to switch between distinct lighting intensity levels.

Limits and Unknowns

The bill does not specify what happens if a new building is built before the law takes effect.
It's unclear how existing state buildings will be affected by this requirement.

Bill History

2025-12-08 D
Carried over to 2026 Regular Session.
2025-01-23 H
Referred to EEP, FIN, referral sheet 3
2025-01-23 H
Introduced and Pass First Reading.
2025-01-21 H
Pending introduction.

Official Summary Text

RELATING TO BI-LEVEL LIGHTING SYSTEMS.
Bi-level Lighting Systems; State Buildings; State Facilities; Energy Efficiency
Requires all newly constructed state buildings and facilities to use only bi-level lighting systems beginning 1/1/2026.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

HB950

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

950

THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2025

STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

relating
to bi-level lighting systems
.

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

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SECTION 1.
�
The legislature finds that in many private
and public buildings across the State, lighting systems remain active at full
intensity throughout the day and night.
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This practice results in considerable energy waste, increased
electricity costs, and unnecessary environmental harm.
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The legislature further finds that the State
must take action to prevent these inefficiencies and promote sensible environmental
stewardship practices.

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Motion-censored lighting systems, or
bi-level lighting, offer a proven, environmentally friendly alternative to
traditional lighting systems.
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These
systems operate by decreasing and increasing lighting intensity through motion
sensors, increasing brightness as needed.
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While these kinds of systems have been adopted on a small scale, the
State should be actively pursuing opportunities to increase bi-level lighting usage.

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The purpose of this Act is to
require all newly constructed state buildings and facilities to use only
bi-level lighting systems beginning January 1, 2026.

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SECTION 2.
�
Chapter 196, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is
amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as
follows:

����
"
�196-
�
Bi-level
lighting system; state buildings and facilities; required.
�
Beginning
January 1, 2026, all newly constructed state buildings and facilities shall use
only bi-level lighting systems.

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For the purposes of this subsection,
"bi-level lighting systems" means energy-efficient lighting systems that
use motion sensors to switch between distinct lighting intensity levels.
"

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SECTION 3.
�
New statutory material is underscored.

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

INTRODUCED BY:

_____________________________

Report Title:

Bi-level
Lighting Systems; State Buildings; State Facilities; Energy Efficiency

Description:

Requires
all newly constructed state buildings and facilities to use only bi-level
lighting systems beginning 1/1/2026.

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