RELATING TO NATURAL RESOURCES.
Sponsored By: Nicole E. Lowen (Democratic)
In Committee
Summary
Authorizes geological subsurface characterization activities conducted by a public research institution under certain conditions. Clarifies that boreholes or test holes drilled for the purposes of geological subsurface characterization are distinct from water well exploration and geothermal or mineral exploration. Requires the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism, to designate the Hawaii Groundwater and Geothermal Resources Center of the University of Hawaii, or a successor entity, as the repository for data collected from any geological subsurface characterization activity. Requires the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands to designate a repository or be the repository for any scientific data collected from any geological subsurface characterization activity on lands it holds in trust. Requires the Department of Land and Natural Resources to amend its exemption list to specify that certain geological subsurface characterization activities shall be exempt from the environmental review process or shall only require an exemption notice. Requires the University of Hawaii to amend its exemption list to specify that certain geological subsurface characterization activities shall be exempt from the environmental review process or shall only require an exemption notice. Requires the Department of Health to amend its rules related to hazardous waste and hazardous waste management for consistency with federal regulations to specify that certain waste products generated by geological subsurface characterization activity are exempt from hazardous waste management requirements. Requires that the first site where a borehole or test hole is drilled shall be on lands owned by DHHL. Establishes the Hawaii Groundwater and Geothermal Resources Center within the School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology of UH Manoa. Appropriates funds.
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Bill Overview
No Economic Impacts Identified for this Bill
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Nicole E. Lowen
Democratic • House
Cosponsors
There are no cosponsors for this bill.
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
Actions Timeline
The committee(s) on EEP recommend(s) that the measure be deferred.
2/11/2026HouseThe committee(s) on EEP recommend(s) that the measure be deferred until 02-11-26.
2/10/2026HouseBill scheduled for decision making on Wednesday, 02-11-26 11:30AM in conference room 325 VIA VIDEOCONFERENCE.
2/10/2026HouseBill scheduled to be heard by EEP on Tuesday, 02-10-26 9:05AM in House conference room 325 VIA VIDEOCONFERENCE.
2/6/2026HouseRe-referred to EEP, JHA, FIN, referral sheet 7
2/3/2026HouseReferred to EEP/WAL, JHA, FIN, referral sheet 3
1/28/2026HouseIntroduced and Pass First Reading.
1/26/2026HousePending introduction.
1/23/2026House
Bill Text
Original
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