Hawaii legislation · 2026 Regular Session
Hawaii HB2599: Relating to Aquatic Protection.
Status: Passed one chamber, April 21, 2026
Requires the Division of Aquatic Resources of the Department of Land and Natural Resources to manage the aquatic life and aquatic resources of the State with the highest priority given to protecting, restoring, and maintaining ecosystem integrity and use the best scientific data available. Requires the Division of Aquatic Resources of the Department of Land and Natural Resources to set goals to substantially increase coral-reef resilience around Oahu and develop a framework to meet those goals, with annual reports to the Legislature.
What the bill says
A bill for an act relating to aquatic protection.
From the engrossed text:
A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO AQUATIC PROTECTION. SECTION 1. The legislature finds that coral reefs are a critical component of the State's ecosystem and provide extremely valuable goods and services for the State and its residents, including coastal protection from erosion due to increasing sea levels and larger ocean swells as the ocean warms; sand production that replenishes beaches; a unique home for native species; and fisheries, recreation, tourism, and spiritual connection. Many reefs around the island of Oahu are widely known to be among the most degraded in the State. This situation is due to increasing impact from human activity, including heavy extraction and fishing pressure, poor agricultural and development land use practices, unchecked ungulate populations that lead to erosion and sedimentation, and run-off of excess nutrients from sewage and fertilizers. Furthermore, increasing ocean warming is now causing more frequent and severe coral bleaching events that kill corals and are predicted to be annual events by about 2040. Ocean 2026-1849 HB2599 SDl SMA.docx HMiiniiiliimmiiiBi Page 2 2599 H.B. NO H.D. S.D. acidification and other pollutants also adversely affect corals. All of these factors contribute to degraded reefs and lower numbers of herbivorous fishes to keep coral-reef degradation in check. The legislature further finds that immediate and sustained action is needed to protect and restore coral reefs around …
Sponsors
- Linda Ichiyama (D, 31) · primary sponsor
- Terez Amato (D, 11)
- Della Belatti (D, 26)
- Cory Chun (D, 35)
- Elle Cochran (D, 14)
- Tina Grandinetti (D, 20)
- Hartsfield, Daisy (D, 36)
- Mark Hashem (D, 19)
- Kim Iwamoto (D, 25)
- Kirstin Kahaloa (D, 6)
- Susan Keohokapu-Lee Loy (D, 2)
- Darius Kila (D, 44)
Latest actions
- : Received notice of appointment of House conferees (Hse. Com. No. 799).
- : House Conferees Appointed: Hashem, Morikawa Co-Chairs; Souza.
- : Received notice of disagreement (Hse. Com. No. 599).
- : House disagrees with Senate amendment (s).
- : Returned from Senate (Sen. Com. No. 562) in amended form (SD 1).
- : Report Adopted; Passed Third Reading. Ayes, 25; Aye(s) with reservations: none. Noes, 0 (none). Excused, 0 (none). Transmitted to House.
- : One Day Notice 04-10-26.
- : Reported from WAM (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 3647) with recommendation of passage on Third Reading.
- : The committee(s) on WAM recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED. The votes in WAM were as follows: 12 Aye(s): Senator(s) Dela Cruz, Moriwaki, DeCoite, Elefante, Hashimoto, Inouye, Kanuha, Kidani, Kim, Richards, Wakai, Fevella; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 1 Excused: Senator(s) Lee, C..
- : The committee(s) on WAM deferred the measure until 04-06-26 10:31AM; Conference Room 211 & Videoconference.
Votes
- Report Adopted; Passed Third Reading (April 10, 2026): 25 yea, 0 nay, passed
- WAM: recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED (April 6, 2026): 12 yea, 0 nay, passed
- WLA: recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS (March 23, 2026): 5 yea, 0 nay, passed
- Third Reading with none voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and Representative(s) Perruso excused (1) (March 5, 2026): 50 yea, 0 nay, passed
- FIN: recommend that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED (March 3, 2026): 16 yea, 0 nay, passed
- Second Reading as amended in HD 1 and referred to the committee(s) on FIN with none voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and Representative(s) Chun, Kong, Kusch excused (3) (February 13, 2026): 48 yea, 0 nay, passed
Subjects: Aquatic Protection, Report, DLNR, Reports
Common questions
- What is HB2599?
- HB2599 is a bill in the Hawaii Legislature (2026 Regular Session): Relating to Aquatic Protection.
- What does HB2599 do?
- In its own words: A bill for an act relating to aquatic protection.
- What is the status of HB2599?
- Passed one chamber as of April 21, 2026. Latest action: Received notice of appointment of House conferees (Hse. Com. No. 799). (April 21, 2026).
- Who sponsored HB2599?
- Linda Ichiyama (D, 31), with 11 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for HB2599?
- On the Hawaii Legislature website: https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=HB&billnumber=2599&year=2026
Source: official Hawaii record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.