Bill
HCR 70
HCR 70 requests HDOT to accelerate adoption of sustainable aviation fuels in Hawaiʻi, partnering with stakeholders and reporting back with possible legislation.
Status: Concurrent resolution adopted by the 33rd Legislature (Regular Session 2025); transmitted and signed by the Governor (May 2025). Introduced: February 11, 2025. Primary sponsors: Lowen, Kila, Marten, Poepoe, Josh Carlson. Companion: HR 63.
Purpose
- To formally request that the Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation (HDOT) take steps to facilitate and accelerate adoption of sustainable aviation fuels (SAF) across the State’s aviation sector as part of efforts to decarbonize Hawaiʻi’s transportation system and meet the State’s climate goals.
Context and findings cited
- Transportation is identified as Hawaiʻi’s largest greenhouse gas source (~48% of state emissions vs. ~30% nationally).
- Aviation is a significant contributor within that sector and is vital to tourism, commerce, and interisland travel.
- SAF — produced from renewable feedstocks (e.g., agricultural waste, used cooking oils, algae) — can substantially reduce lifecycle GHG emissions from air travel.
- The resolution references the Hawaiʻi State Energy Office’s 2023 “Hawaiʻi Pathways to Decarbonization,” Act 226 (2023) zero-emission transportation goals, and the Navahine v. Hawaiʻi DOT settlement requiring a Greenhouse Gas Reduction Plan.
Key provisions
- Requests HDOT to facilitate and accelerate SAF adoption across Hawaiʻi’s aviation sector.
- Requests HDOT to collaborate with the Hawaiʻi State Energy Office, major airlines serving Hawaiʻi, fuel producers, and other stakeholders to establish policies, incentives, and infrastructure supporting SAF production, distribution, and use.
- Requests HDOT to integrate SAF adoption into the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Plan required under the Navahine settlement.
- Requests HDOT to submit a progress report to the Legislature — including any proposed legislation — no later than 20 days before the convening of the Regular Session of 2026.
- Directs transmittal of certified copies of the resolution to the Governor, the Director of Transportation, and the Chief Energy Officer.
Who is affected / likely participants
- Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation and Hawaiʻi State Energy Office (primary agencies asked to act).
- Major airlines operating in Hawaiʻi, fuel producers, airport authorities, fuel distributors, and related private-sector stakeholders.
- Indirectly impacts the tourism and interisland transportation sectors and the State’s GHG-reduction efforts.
Legal effect and limitations
- As a concurrent resolution, HCR 70 expresses legislative intent and requests agency action but does not itself create binding law, allocate funds, or impose regulatory requirements.
- The resolution explicitly asks HDOT to report back and to propose legislation if needed — future statutory or budgetary actions may follow based on that report.
Procedural timeline (highlights)
- Introduced: Feb 11, 2025.
- Referred to multiple committees; hearings and committee reports occurred March–April 2025.
- Adopted by both chambers in May 2025; enrolled and transmitted to Governor; signed in May 2025.
- HDOT report due to Legislature 20 days before the 2026 Regular Session (per the resolution).
Potential impact
- If HDOT acts on the request, possible outcomes include policy recommendations, incentive programs, planning for SAF infrastructure at airports, and draft legislation to support SAF production/distribution — all aimed at reducing aviation-related GHG emissions and helping Hawaiʻi meet its 2030/2045 targets.
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
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