# Hawaii HB 1983: RELATING TO NATURAL RESOURCES.

Hawaii HB 1983, RELATING TO NATURAL RESOURCES., is a 2025–2026 Regular Session (Year 2) House bill sponsored by Nicole E. Lowen (Democratic); status failed, last action 2026-02-11 (The committee(s) on EEP recommend(s) that the measure be deferred.) (as of 2026-11-01).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/HI-HB1983-2026
- As of: 2026-11-01
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Bill: Hawaii HB 1983
- State: Hawaii
- Session: 2025–2026 Regular Session (Year 2)
- Title: RELATING TO NATURAL RESOURCES.
- Status: failed
- Chamber: House
- Introduced: 2026-01-23
- Last action: 2026-02-11, The committee(s) on EEP recommend(s) that the measure be deferred.
- Sponsor: Nicole E. Lowen (Democratic)
- Cosponsors: 0
- Subjects: DBEDT, DLNR, DOH, DHHL, SOEST, HGGRC, Geological Subsurface Characterization, Natural Resources, Groundwater, Geothermal Resources, Hazardous Waste, Exemptions, Administrative Rules, Appropriations, EEP, JHA, FIN
- Touches household money: no
- Economic provisions PRIA read: 0

## 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.

## Bill overview

No economic impacts identified for this bill.

## Sponsors and cosponsors

- Sponsor: Nicole E. Lowen (Democratic), House

## Actions (8)

- 2026-02-11: The committee(s) on EEP recommend(s) that the measure be deferred. (House)
- 2026-02-10: The committee(s) on EEP recommend(s) that the measure be deferred until 02-11-26. (House)
- 2026-02-10: Bill scheduled for decision making on Wednesday, 02-11-26 11:30AM in conference room 325 VIA VIDEOCONFERENCE. (House)
- 2026-02-06: Bill scheduled to be heard by EEP on Tuesday, 02-10-26 9:05AM in House conference room 325 VIA VIDEOCONFERENCE. (House)
- 2026-02-03: Re-referred to EEP, JHA, FIN, referral sheet 7 (House)
- 2026-01-28: Referred to EEP/WAL, JHA, FIN, referral sheet 3 (House)
- 2026-01-26: Introduced and Pass First Reading. (House)
- 2026-01-23: Pending introduction. (House)

## Bill text

- Original: [HTML](https://data.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessions/session2026/bills/HB1983_.HTM), [PDF](https://data.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessions/session2026/bills/HB1983_.pdf)

## Related bills

- SB 847: RELATING TO PSYCHOLOGISTS. (became law)
- HB 2021: RELATING TO TRANSPORTATION. (signed)
- SB 2338: RELATING TO HOUSING. (signed)
- HB 2344: RELATING TO SCHOOL FACILITIES. (signed)
- HB 2023: RELATING TO TRANSPORTATION. (signed)
- HB 1973: RELATING TO HEALTH. (signed)

## Sources
- [Original (HTML)](https://data.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessions/session2026/bills/HB1983_.HTM)
- [Original (PDF)](https://data.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessions/session2026/bills/HB1983_.pdf)

## Related
- [SB 847: RELATING TO PSYCHOLOGISTS.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/HI-SB847-2026)
- [HB 2021: RELATING TO TRANSPORTATION.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/HI-HB2021-2026)
- [SB 2338: RELATING TO HOUSING.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/HI-SB2338-2026)
- [HB 2344: RELATING TO SCHOOL FACILITIES.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/HI-HB2344-2026)
- [HB 2023: RELATING TO TRANSPORTATION.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/HI-HB2023-2026)
- [HB 1973: RELATING TO HEALTH.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/HI-HB1973-2026)
- [Hawaii bills](https://policyrisk.com/states/hawaii/bills)
- [Hawaii state hub](https://policyrisk.com/states/hawaii)
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Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/HI-HB1983-2026 (as of 2026-11-01).