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Bill Summary · SB 939

Legislative bill overview

SB 939 is a Hawaii climate change bill introduced by Senator Karl Rhoads that was referred to the Environment and International Governance (EIG) and Agriculture and Environment (AEN) committees, along with the Ways and Means Committee (WAM). The bill passed first reading in January 2025 but was carried over to the 2026 regular session, meaning it did not advance further in the 2025 session.

Why this is important

Hawaii faces unique climate vulnerabilities as an island state, including sea-level rise, coral bleaching, and threats to freshwater supplies and agriculture. Climate legislation in Hawaii often sets precedents for other states and can impact the state's economy, infrastructure planning, and environmental resilience.

Potential points of contention

  • The bill's specific policy mechanisms are not detailed in available records, but Hawaii climate bills typically involve tradeoffs between environmental protection and economic costs to businesses and consumers
  • Referral to WAM suggests potential fiscal implications that may have generated debate about state spending and funding mechanisms
  • Climate legislation often raises questions about regulatory burden on Hawaii's tourism and agricultural industries

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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