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Bill

SB 2401

RELATING TO REGIONAL SHORELINE MITIGATION DISTRICTS.

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Stanley Chang and 1 co-sponsor

SB 2401 establishes regional shoreline mitigation districts in Hawaii to coordinate coastal erosion and sea-level rise adaptation efforts across jurisdictions with specified governance and funding structures.

Passed Final Reading as amended in CD 2 with none voting aye with reservations; Representative(s) Amato, Iwamoto, Perruso, Poepoe voting no (4) and none excused (0).
#coastalerosion #opsd #regionalshorelinemitigationdistricts #shorelineadaptationpathwaysplanning #permits
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Bill Summary · SB 2401

Legislative bill overview

SB 2401 establishes a framework for creating regional shoreline mitigation districts in Hawaii that would coordinate coastal protection and erosion management efforts across multiple jurisdictions. The bill appears designed to enable communities to collectively address shoreline challenges through organized special districts with defined governance and funding mechanisms.

Why is this important

Hawaii faces accelerating coastal erosion and sea-level rise that threaten infrastructure, property, and communities, particularly affecting low-income and Native Hawaiian populations. Regional coordination could reduce duplicative efforts and fragmented responses, though it also represents a significant expansion of local government authority and potential taxation mechanisms over coastal properties.

Potential points of contention

  • Funding mechanisms: Questions about how these districts would be financed (property taxes, fees, state/federal grants) and whether costs would disproportionately burden certain property owners or communities
  • Local control vs. regional authority: Tension between established county/city governance and new regional district powers, particularly regarding decision-making authority over shoreline projects
  • Property rights and takings: Concerns about regulations imposed on private property owners in mitigation districts and potential compensation disputes

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

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