HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
THE THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE
REGULAR SESSION OF 2026
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Rep. Nicole E. Lowen, Chair |
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Rep. Amy A. Perruso, Vice Chair |
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Rep. Cory M. Chun |
Rep. Sean Quinlan |
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Rep. Kirstin Kahaloa |
Rep. Lauren Matsumoto |
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Rep. Matthias Kusch |
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NOTICE OF HEARING
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DATE: |
Tuesday, February 10, 2026 |
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TIME: |
9:05 a.m. |
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PLACE: |
VIA VIDEOCONFERENCE Conference Room 325 State Capitol 415 South Beretania Street |
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A G E N D A
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RELATING TO SOLAR ENERGY. Defines and provides requirements for the use of a portable solar generation device. Requires each portable solar generation device to be registered with the Public Utilities Commission. Provides that electric utility companies are not liable for any damage or injury caused by a portable solar generation device. Requires the Public Utilities Commission to establish and maintain an online system for registering a portable solar generation device, at no cost to the customer.
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EEP, CPC |
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RELATING TO ENERGY. Prohibits, after 6/30/2026, the importation or storage of liquefied natural gas; the construction, expansion, or operation of liquefied natural gas infrastructure; and state agencies or counties from issuing a permit or lease that enables the development or expansion of liquefied natural gas, with certain exemptions. Authorizes the Public Utilities Commission and Department of Health to adopt rules for the enforcement and compliance of the prohibition. Repeals a provision from the Hawaii State Planning Act making it a policy of the State to use liquefied natural gas as a transitional, limited-term replacement of petroleum. Prohibits, after 6/30/2026, the approval of a new or renewed purchase agreement that proposes to supply a utility with liquefied natural gas and the modification of an existing liquefied natural gas purchase agreement that proposes to extend the term or increase the amount of liquefied natural gas that is supplied under the existing agreement.
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EEP, CPC, FIN |
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RELATING TO NATURAL RESOURCES. 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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EEP, JHA, FIN |
DECISION MAKING TO FOLLOW
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FOR AMENDED NOTICES: Measures that have been deleted are stricken through and measures that have been added are bolded.
For more information, please contact the Committee Clerk at (808) 586-8400.
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________________________________________ Rep. Nicole E. Lowen Chair |
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