Hawaii SCR32: Requesting the Establishment of a Marine Life Conservation District Carrying Capacity Study Task Force to Develop a Statewide Implementation Plan.

What the bill says

From the introduced text:

THE SENATE S.C.R. NO. 3'2' THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026 STATE OF HAWAII ___________________________ MAR 1 0 2026____________________________ SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A MARINE LIFE CONSERVATION DISTRICT CARRYING CAPACITY STUDY TASK FORCE TO DEVELOP A STATEWIDE IMPLEMENTATION PLAN. WHEREAS, the State's marine life conservation districts protect vital marine ecosystems and support cultural practices, recreation, education, and local livelihoods; and WHEREAS, increasing human use of nearshore areas, including activities considered non-extractive, can significantly affect marine ecosystems and resource health; and WHEREAS, understanding human-use thresholds and ecological response is essential to ensure marine life conservation districts are effectively managed and protected; and WHEREAS, carrying capacity studies are a critical tool for informing science-based management and long-term sustainability; and WHEREAS, the Department of Land and Natural Resources Division of Aquatic Resources' community-driven Holomua Marine Initiative identifies monitoring, which includes measuring conditions, tracking management outcomes, and using data to guide adaptive management, as a core pillar of improved marine management statewide; and WHEREAS, the State would benefit from a coordinated, phased, and prioritized approach to conducting marine life conservation districts carrying capacity studies; and WHEREAS, the collaborative management, monitoring, and stakeholder engagement associated with the Carrying Capacity Pilot Program for the Pupukea Marine Life Conservation District, which was established by Act 31, Session Laws of Hawaii 2022, demonstrate the effectiveness of coordinated partnerships …

Read the full official text

Sponsors

• Dru Kanuha (D, 3) · primary sponsor
• Stanley Chang (D, 9)
• Angus McKelvey (D, 6)
• Tim Richards (D, SD-004)
• Les Ihara (D, 10)
• Joy San Buenaventura (D, 2)
• Glenn Wakai (D, 15)

Latest actions

1. May 12, 2026: Certified copies of resolutions sent, 05-12-26.
2. April 28, 2026: Resolution adopted in final form.
3. April 28, 2026: Received from House (Hse. Com. No. 845).
4. April 27, 2026: Transmitted to Senate.
5. April 27, 2026: Adopted with none voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and none excused (0).
6. April 27, 2026: Reported from FIN (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 2276-26), recommending adoption.
7. April 23, 2026: The committee on FIN recommend that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED. The votes were as follows: 14 Ayes: Representative(s) Todd, Takenouchi, Hartsfield, Hussey, Keohokapu-Lee Loy, Kitagawa, Kusch, Lee, M., Miyake, Ratcliffe, Templo, Yamashita, Gedeon, Reyes Oda; Ayes with reservations: none; Noes: none; and 3 Excused: Representative(s) Morikawa, Perruso, Alcos.
8. April 21, 2026: Scheduled for decision making on Thursday, 04-23-26 10:00AM in conference room 308 VIA VIDEOCONFERENCE.
9. April 20, 2026: Report adopted; referred to the committee(s) on FIN with Representative(s) Garcia voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and Representative(s) Alcos, Cochran, Woodson excused (3).
10. April 20, 2026: Reported from WAL (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 2187-26), recommending referral to FIN.

Votes

• Adopted with none voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and none excused (0) (April 27, 2026): 51 yea, 0 nay, passed
• FIN: recommend that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED (April 23, 2026): 14 yea, 0 nay, passed
• Report adopted; referred to the committee(s) on FIN with Representative(s) Garcia voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and Representative(s) Alcos, Cochran, Woodson excused (3) (April 20, 2026): 48 yea, 0 nay, passed
• WAL: recommend that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED (April 16, 2026): 8 yea, 0 nay, passed
• WLA: recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED (March 30, 2026): 4 yea, 0 nay, passed

Common questions

What is SCR32?

SCR32 is a bill in the Hawaii Legislature (2026 Regular Session): Requesting the Establishment of a Marine Life Conservation District Carrying Capacity Study Task Force to Develop a Statewide Implementation Plan.

What is the status of SCR32?

Passed both chambers as of April 28, 2026. Latest action: Certified copies of resolutions sent, 05-12-26. (May 12, 2026).

Who sponsored SCR32?

Dru Kanuha (D, 3), with 6 co-sponsors.

Where is the official record for SCR32?

On the Hawaii Legislature website: https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=SCR&billnumber=32&year=2026