RELATING TO ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION.

SB2213

THE SENATE

S.B. NO.

2213

THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026

STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

relating
to environmental protection
.

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

PART I

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SECTION
1.
�
This Act shall be known and be cited
as the "Hawaii Environmentally Friendly Schools Act".

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SECTION 2.
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The legislature finds that the State's public schools generate large
amounts of daily waste, much of which consists of single-use plastic food
service items such as utensils, trays, and packaging.
�
National studies estimate that United States
schools produce more than fourteen thousand tons of solid waste each day, with
nearly half composed of disposable food materials.
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The legislature believes that the continued
use of these items in public schools contributes to plastic pollution that
burdens the State's waste management systems and undermines efforts to promote
sustainability in public facilities.

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The legislature further finds that plastic
pollution poses a direct threat to the State's ocean resources, coastal
ecosystems, and community well-being.
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Reducing
single-use plastics in schools will help the State fulfill its constitutional
duty to conserve and protect the State's natural beauty and all natural resources
for future generations.

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The
legislature further finds that the State has taken significant steps in recent
years to address climate change and promote environmental stewardship through
statewide initiatives such as the establishment of a "green fee" tax on
tourists to fund environmental protection and climate change resilience projects,
the establishment of the Hawaii Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation
Commission, and the State's commitment to achieve net-zero emissions and one
hundred per cent renewable energy by 2045.
�
These efforts reflect the State's recognition
that local action is critical to protect its fragile ecosystems and island
communities from the accelerating impacts of global climate change.

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The legislature believes that expanding
sustainability practices within public schools complements these statewide initiatives
by reducing waste, conserving energy, and cultivating environmental
responsibility in the next generation.
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Establishing
environmentally friendly schools will ensure that public schools contribute
directly to the State's long-term vision of climate resilience and ecological
balance.

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Accordingly,
the purpose of this Act is to establish an environmentally friendly schools
initiative within the department of education to integrate environmental
stewardship into school curricula, establish sustainability programs, phase out
single-use plastics, and increase availability of water bottle filling stations
on public school campuses.

PART
II

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SECTION
3.
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Chapter 302A, Hawaii Revised
Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to part II, subpart B, to be
appropriately designated and to read as follows:

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"
�302A-
�
Environmental stewardship; curricula plan;
public schools.
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(a)
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The department shall:

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(1)
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Develop and implement a statewide environmental
stewardship curricula plan for public school students in
through grade; and

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(2)
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Beginning
with the 2027-2028 school year, ensure that each public school offers an
environmental stewardship course during each school year.

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(b)
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Beginning with the
2027-2028 school year, each public school shall offer an environmental
stewardship course for students in through
grade.
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The curriculum shall

e
mphasize
:

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(1)
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T
he
protection and sustainable management of the State's natural
resources,
including land, water, air, minerals and energy sources;

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(2)
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T
he
reduction of pollution and waste
;
and

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(3)
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T
he
Hawaiian cultural value of
malama a
ina as a guiding principle of
environmental stewardship.

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(c)
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By June 30, 2028, and by each
June 30 thereafter, the superintendent shall report to the legislature and
board on the environmental stewardship courses and content offered during the
previous school year at the schools in each complex area.
"

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SECTION
4.
�
Chapter 302A, Hawaii Revised
Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to part II, subpart C, to be
appropriately designated and to read as follows:

����
"
�302A-
�
Sustainability programs; recycling and
composting.
�
(a)
�
Beginning
with the 2027-2028 school year, the department shall establish and administer sustainability
programs, including recycling and composting programs, to be implemented at
public schools to reduce solid waste and promote environmental stewardship
among students.

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(b)
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Each public school shall
participate in the program or develop and implement a recycling and composting
plan consistent with department guidelines.

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(c)
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The department may provide
funding, technical assistance, and educational materials to support program
implementation and shall coordinate with county solid waste management agencies
and nonprofit organizations to facilitate collection and processing.

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(d)
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The department may adopt
policies or rules to implement this section, including requirements for waste
separation, collection, and reporting.

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(e)
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The department shall submit an
annual report to the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the
convening of each regular session, beginning with the regular session of 2028, that
includes a summary of school participation, program expenditures, and waste
diversion results achieved under this section.
"

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SECTION
5
�
Chapter 302A, Hawaii Revised Statutes,
is amended by adding a new section to part VI, subpart A, to be appropriately
designated and to read as follows:

����
"
�302A-
�
Single-use plastic food service products;
prohibited.
�
(a)
�
Beginning
July 1, 2027, no public school shall distribute or use single-use plastic
utensils, trays, straws, or other disposable plastic food service products in
any school cafeteria.

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(b) The department may authorize limited exemptions if the department
determines that a suitable nonplastic or reusable alternative is not reasonably
available, or if the use of single-use plastic is necessary for health, safety,
or disability-related accommodation.

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(c)
�
The department shall adopt
policies and procedures to implement this section, including a timeline for the
transition to reusable or compostable alternatives, standards for acceptable
products, and guidance for schools on procurement and disposal practices.

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(d)
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The department shall submit a
report to the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the
regular session of 2028 that includes the status of implementation, any
exemptions granted, and recommendations for further reducing waste in public
school food service operations.
"

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SECTION 6.
�

(a)
�
The department of education
shall increase the number of water bottle filling stations available on public
school campuses to promote waste reduction and student health.

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(b)
�

Beginning July 1, 2028, each public school shall have at least one
operational water bottle filling station accessible to students and staff;
provided that implementation shall be subject to the availability of funds
appropriated for this purpose.

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(c)
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The department of education may contract with qualified vendors or
public agencies for the design, procurement, installation, and maintenance of
water bottle filling stations.

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(d)
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The department of education shall adopt policies to ensure stations are
regularly maintained, sanitary, and accessible to students, and may prioritize
installation at schools with the highest enrollment or limited access to
potable water.

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(e)
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The department of education shall submit a report to the legislature no
later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular session of
2029
that includes
the number of refillable water bottle filling stations
installed, schools served, and progress toward statewide implementation.

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(f)
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For the purposes of this section, "water bottle filling
station" means a plumbing fixture connected to the potable water
distribution system and sanitary drainage system that is designed and intended
for filling personal use drinking water bottles or containers at least ten
inches in height.
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A "water bottle
filling station" may be separate from or integral to a drinking fountain
and may incorporate a water filter and a cooling system for chilling the
drinking water.

PART
III

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SECTION
7.
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There is appropriated out of the
general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of
$ or so much
thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2026-2027 to be expended as
follows:

����
(1)
�
$
to establish public school sustainability programs, including recycling and
composting programs;

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(2)
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$
to implement the phase-out of single-use plastic food service products in
public school cafeterias; and

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(3)
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$
to procure and install water bottle filling stations in public schools.

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The
sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of education for the
purposes of this Act.

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SECTION 8.
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New statutory material is underscored.

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SECTION
9.
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This Act shall take effect on July 1,
2026.

INTRODUCED BY:

_____________________________

Report Title:

DOE; Environmentally
Friendly Schools Act; Environmental Stewardship Curriculum; Sustainability
Programs; Recycling and Composting Program; Single-Use Plastic Products; Water
Bottle Filling Stations; Reports; Appropriations

Description:

Requires the Department of Education to e
stablish a statewide
E
nvironmental
S
tewardship
C
urricul
a Plan
for public schools
for certain
students.
�
Beginning with the 2027-2028 school year,
requires
public school
s to
offer an environmental stewardship
course for
certain
students
.

�
Requires the
D
epartment of
E
ducation to establish
and
administer
sustainability
programs, including recycling and composting programs
, to be
implemented at public schools
.
�
Beginning 7/1/27, prohibits the use or
distribution of single-use plastic utensils, trays, straws, and other
disposable plastic food service products in public school cafeterias.
�
Beginning 7/1/28, requires each public school
to have at least one operational refillable water bottle filling station
accessible to students and staff.
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Requires
reports to the Board of Education and the Legislature.
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Appropriates funds.

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not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.