All Roll Calls
Yes: 2 • No: 3
HawaiiSB 33232025–2026 Regular Session (Year 2)Senate
RELATING TO ECOSYSTEM RIGHTS.
Sponsored By: Jr. Ihara (Democratic)
Passed
Summary
Recognizes watersheds and coral reef ecosystems as legal persons with inherent and inalienable rights to exist, flourish, and naturally evolve. Establishes enforceable ecosystem rights grounded in public trust doctrine and Native Hawaiian customary stewardship. Authorizes citizen enforcement, restorative and injunctive remedies, civil penalties, and continuing duties of ecological repair, including for historic harms. Provides for open representation, community consultation, co-governance, and supremacy over conflicting laws.
Ecosystem RightsWatershedsCoral ReefsLegal PersonhoodEnforcementEcosystem PersonsAEN/WLA, JDC
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Bill Overview
No Economic Impacts Identified for this Bill
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Jr. Ihara
Democratic • Senate
Cosponsors
There are no cosponsors for this bill.
Roll Call Votes
Senate vote • 2/11/2026
The committee(s) on AEN recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENT...
Yes: 2 • No: 3
Actions Timeline
The committee on WLA deferred the measure.
2/11/2026SenateThe committee(s) on AEN recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in AEN were as follows: 2 Aye(s): Senator(s) Gabbard; Aye(s) with reservations: Senator(s) Rhoads ; 3 No(es): Senator(s) Richards, DeCoite, Awa; and 0 Excused: none.
2/11/2026SenateThe recommendation was not adopted.
2/11/2026SenateThe committee(s) on AEN/WLA has scheduled a public hearing on 02-11-26 3:00PM; CR 224 & Videoconference.
2/6/2026SenateReferred to AEN/WLA, JDC.
2/2/2026SenateIntroduced.
1/30/2026SenatePassed First Reading.
1/30/2026Senate
Bill Text
Original
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