HawaiiSB 30812025–2026 Regular Session (Year 2)Senate

RELATING TO A PROGRAM TO CHARACTERIZE THE POTENTIAL OF UNDERGROUND ENERGY RESOURCES STATEWIDE.

Sponsored By: Ronald D. Kouchi (Democratic)

Passed

Summary

Establishes the Underground Energy Resource Characterization Program to identify the location and characteristics of accessible geothermal heat and carbon sequestration resources through the use of slim-hole bores and requires a related environmental assessment or environmental impact statement. Requires reports to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Hawaii State Energy OfficeWater ResourcesGeothermal ExplorationUniversity of HawaiiReportsAppropriationEEP, WAL, FIN

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Bill Overview

No Economic Impacts Identified for this Bill

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Ronald D. Kouchi

    Democratic • Senate

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 90 • No: 1

House vote 3/19/2026

Passed Second Reading as amended in HD 1 and referred to the committee(s) on WAL...

Yes: 51 • No: 0

Senate vote 3/6/2026

Senate Floor Vote

Yes: 23 • No: 1

Senate vote 3/2/2026

The committee(s) on WAM recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED. The...

Yes: 13 • No: 0

Senate vote 2/17/2026

The committee(s) on EIG recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENT...

Yes: 3 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Reported from EEP (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 1216-26) as amended in HD 1, recommending passage on Second Reading and referral to WAL.

    3/19/2026House
  2. Passed Second Reading as amended in HD 1 and referred to the committee(s) on WAL with Representative(s) Cochran, Garcia, Poepoe voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and none excused (0).

    3/19/2026House
  3. The committee on EEP recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes were as follows: 6 Ayes: Representative(s) Lowen, Perruso, Chun, Kahaloa, Kusch, Matsumoto; Ayes with reservations: none; Noes: none; and 1 Excused: Representative(s) Quinlan.

    3/17/2026House
  4. Bill scheduled to be heard by EEP on Tuesday, 03-17-26 9:15AM in House conference room 325 VIA VIDEOCONFERENCE.

    3/12/2026House
  5. Pass First Reading

    3/10/2026House
  6. Referred to EEP, WAL, FIN, referral sheet 16

    3/10/2026House
  7. Report Adopted; Passed Third Reading. Ayes, 23; Aye(s) with reservations: Senator(s) San Buenaventura. Noes, 1 (Senator(s) Awa). Excused, 1 (Senator(s) Ihara). Transmitted to House.

    3/6/2026Senate
  8. Received from Senate (Sen. Com. No. 104) in amended form (SD 1).

    3/6/2026House
  9. Reported from WAM (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 2828) with recommendation of passage on Third Reading.

    3/5/2026Senate
  10. One Day Notice 03-06-26.

    3/5/2026Senate
  11. The committee(s) on WAM recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED. The votes in WAM were as follows: 13 Aye(s): Senator(s) Dela Cruz, Moriwaki, DeCoite, Elefante, Hashimoto, Inouye, Kanuha, Kidani, Kim, Lee, C., Richards, Wakai, Fevella; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 0 Excused: none.

    3/2/2026Senate
  12. The committee on WAM has rescheduled its decision making to 03-02-26 10:02AM; CR 211 & Videoconference.

    2/27/2026Senate
  13. The committee(s) on WAM will hold a public decision making on 03-02-26 10:31AM; Conference Room 211 & Videoconference.

    2/23/2026Senate
  14. Reported from EIG (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 2453) with recommendation of passage on Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referral to WAM.

    2/19/2026Senate
  15. Report adopted; Passed Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referred to WAM.

    2/19/2026Senate
  16. The committee(s) on EIG recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in EIG were as follows: 3 Aye(s): Senator(s) Wakai, Chang; Aye(s) with reservations: Senator(s) Fevella ; 0 No(es): none; and 2 Excused: Senator(s) DeCoite, Richards.

    2/17/2026Senate
  17. The committee(s) on EIG has scheduled a public hearing on 02-17-26 3:05PM; Conference Room 224 & Videoconference.

    2/13/2026Senate
  18. Referred to EIG, WAM.

    1/30/2026Senate
  19. Introduced.

    1/28/2026Senate
  20. Passed First Reading.

    1/28/2026Senate
  21. Pending Introduction.

    1/26/2026Senate

Bill Text

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