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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HB 1139

Legislative bill overview

HB 1139 establishes environmental stewardship fees in Hawaii, though the specific fee structure and which activities or industries would be subject to these fees are not detailed in the available legislative history. The bill was introduced in January 2025 and carried over to the 2026 regular session for further consideration across three committees: Tourism, Water and Land (WAL), Finance (FIN), and Transportation and Occupancy (TOU).

Why is this important

Environmental stewardship fees can generate dedicated revenue for conservation, habitat restoration, and environmental management projects. In Hawaii specifically, such fees could address unique challenges like protecting native ecosystems, managing invasive species, and supporting ocean and watershed restoration. However, the real-world impact depends entirely on fee levels, which entities pay them, and how collected revenue is allocated.

Potential points of contention

  • Economic burden on specific sectors: Depending on design, fees could disproportionately affect tourism, agriculture, or other key Hawaiian industries, raising concerns about competitiveness and job impacts
  • Revenue allocation and accountability: Questions about whether fees truly fund environmental projects or become general revenue, and whether funding decisions are transparent and science-based
  • Definition and scope of "environmental stewardship": Ambiguity about which activities qualify and whether fees target root causes or create regressive costs for consumers and small businesses

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

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