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HB 1948

RELATING TO SINGLE-USE PLASTICS.

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Terez Amato and 14 co-sponsors

Hawaii bill HB 1948 restricts single-use plastics to reduce environmental pollution; passed committee with amendments and awaits further legislative review.

The committee on JHA recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes were as follows: 6 Ayes: Representative(s) Tarnas, Poepoe, Cochran, Kahaloa, Takayama; Ayes with reservations: Representative(s) Shimizu; 1 Noes: Representative(s) Garcia; and 3 Excused: Representative(s) Belatti, Hashem, Sayama.
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Bill Summary · HB 1948

Legislative bill overview

HB 1948 addresses single-use plastic reduction in Hawaii, though the specific restrictions and implementation details are not provided in the available legislative record. The bill has advanced through the Tourism and Outdoor Recreation (TOU) committee with a recommendation to pass following amendments on February 5, 2026. It remains pending review by the Environment, Energy & Planning (EEP) and Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs (JHA) committees.

Why is this important

Hawaii's island ecosystem is particularly vulnerable to plastic pollution through ocean accumulation and landfill impacts, making plastic reduction legislation regionally significant. Such measures typically affect local businesses, consumer habits, and waste management infrastructure while addressing environmental concerns that resonate with Hawaii's tourism-dependent economy and natural resource preservation goals.

Potential points of contention

  • Business compliance costs: Single-use plastic bans or restrictions require businesses to source alternative materials, potentially increasing operational expenses that may be passed to consumers
  • Exemption scope: Determining which products qualify for exemptions (medical, safety-critical, etc.) versus those subject to restrictions creates implementation ambiguity
  • Supply chain readiness: Local availability of compliant alternatives and supplier capacity to meet demand within transition timelines remains uncertain

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

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