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SB2977
THE SENATE
S.B. NO.
2977
THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026
STATE OF HAWAII
A BILL FOR AN ACT
RELATING TO A HAWAII CLIMATE ADAPTATION AND RESILIENCE
PLAN.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
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SECTION 1.
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The legislature
finds that the State is increasingly vulnerable to the intensifying impacts of
climate change, including sea level rise, coastal erosion, flooding, drought,
wildfires, extreme heat, and severe storm events.
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These hazards threaten public health and
safety, compromise infrastructure, strain economic stability, degrade
ecosystems, and endanger irreplaceable cultural and natural resources.
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While Hawaii has adopted several
sector-specific adaptation plans, there is no comprehensive, integrated
statewide implementation plan that assesses climate-related financial risk,
prioritizes statewide cross-sector adaptation strategies, or coordinates
long-term resilience efforts across jurisdictions.
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The absence of such a plan exposes the State
to increasing fiscal and operational risk.
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Nationally, United States-based insurers have paid over $762 billion in
climate‑related disaster claims between 2015 and 2024.
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The growing frequency and severity of these
events have led to rising insurance premiums, reduced coverage availability,
and heightened volatility in insurance markets.
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Credit rating agencies began recognizing the potential financial
implications of climate change.
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Moody's
Investors Service and Fitch Ratings have identified climate-related physical
risks and resilience planning as important factors in evaluating public-sector
credit worthiness.
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States and
municipalities with high climate exposure and insufficient adaptation
strategies face greater fiscal vulnerability, which may affect market
perception, borrowing costs, and long-term credit competitiveness.
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The legislature further finds that
jurisdictions such as California, Maryland, and South Carolina have adopted
formal, data-informed climate adaptation and resilience planning frameworks
that examine climate risks and guide strategic decision-making, and cities such
as Boston and New York City maintain structured climate resilience planning
processes grounded in scientific projections and integrated into policy and
infrastructure planning.
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These
frameworks improve intergovernmental coordination, enhance regulatory
consistency, reduce risk, and strengthen access to federal funding and
climate-aligned capital.
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Therefore, the purpose of this Act is to
require the office of planning and sustainable development to develop and maintain
a comprehensive Hawaii climate adaptation and resilience plan.
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SECTION 2.
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Chapter 226, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section
to part II to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:
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�226-
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Hawaii climate adaptation and resilience
plan.
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(a)
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The office of planning and sustainable development
shall develop and publish a Hawaii climate adaptation and resilience plan that
aligns with the objectives established under this chapter, the State's multiple
sustainability and climate targets, county general plans, county climate and
sustainability plans, applicable federal and state climate and hazard
mitigation programs, and the most accurate climate data and science based
targets available.
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(b)
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The purpose of the Hawaii climate adaptation and resilience plan shall
be to:
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(1)
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Determine
the overall financial risk to the State associated with climate change;
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(2)
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Aggregate
and analyze statewide hazard, exposure, and climate vulnerability data for use
in statewide and regional climate adaptation planning;
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(3)
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Assess
a range of options for the State to adapt to multiple hazards and climate
change impacts; and
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(4)
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Recommend
specific strategies related to land use, zoning, infrastructure adaptations,
resource allocation, and community investment to protect, enhance, and promote
local economies, the environment, community well-being, and long-term climate
resilience for the present and future benefit of the people of Hawaii.
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(c)
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The office shall submit the Hawaii climate adaptation and resilience
plan to the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the
regular session of 2028 and shall submit updates of the Hawaii climate
adaptation and resilience plan every five years thereafter.
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SECTION 3.
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There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii
the sum of $160,000 or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year
2026-2027 to establish:
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(1)
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One
full-time equivalent (1.0 FTE) planner IV position; and
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(2)
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One
full-time equivalent (1.0 FTE) planner V position.
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The sum appropriated shall be expended by
the office of planning and sustainable development for the purposes of this
Act.
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SECTION 4.
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There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii
the sum of $1,840,000 or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year
2026-2027 for climate risk and vulnerability modeling, cost benefit modeling
and fiscal risk assessments, data visualization, monitoring and evaluation,
public outreach and community engagement, plan development, and other expenses
for the preparation of the Hawaii climate adaptation and resilience plan.
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The sum appropriated shall be expended by
the office of planning and sustainable development for the purposes of this
Act.
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SECTION 5.
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New statutory material is underscored.
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SECTION 6.
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This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2026.
INTRODUCED
BY:
_____________________________
Report Title:
OPSD; Hawaii
Climate Adaptation and Resilience Plan; Report; Positions; Appropriations
Description:
Requires
the Office of Sustainable Development to establish a Hawaii Climate Adaptation
and Resilience Plan.
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Requires a report
to the Legislature.
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Establishes
positions.
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Appropriates funds.
The summary description
of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is
not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.