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Hawaii · 2026 Regular Session · Bill

SB 2478: PROPOSING AN AMENDMENT TO ARTICLE I OF THE HAWAII STATE CONSTITUTION TO RECOGNIZE AND PROTECT THE INHERENT AND INALIENABLE RIGHT OF ALL PEOPLE TO CLEAN WATER AND AIR, A HEALTHFUL ENVIRONMENT AND CLIMATE AND HEALTHY NATIVE ECOSYSTEMS AND BEACHES.

In committee Official data

  1. Introduced
  2. In committee
  3. Passed one chamber
  4. Passed both chambers
  5. Enacted

Last official action: ·Record last updated:

Plain-language summary

SB 2478 is a bill introduced in the Hawaii Senate on January 22, 2026. According to its official title, it concerns: PROPOSING AN AMENDMENT TO ARTICLE I OF THE HAWAII STATE CONSTITUTION TO RECOGNIZE AND PROTECT THE INHERENT AND INALIENABLE RIGHT OF ALL PEOPLE TO CLEAN WATER AND AIR, A HEALTHFUL ENVIRONMENT AND CLIMATE AND HEALTHY NATIVE ECOSYSTEMS AND BEACHES. Primary sponsor: Mike Gabbard (Democratic), Carol Fukunaga (Democratic), Sharon Moriwaki (Democratic), Karl Rhoads (Democratic). Most recent recorded action (February 20, 2026): Reported from AEN (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 2498) with recommendation of passage on Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referral to JDC/WAM.

Generated automatically from the official title, sponsor list, and status record only. It does not characterize the bill’s purpose or effects. How summaries are written

Official summary

Abstract published by the legislature (via Open States). Text as published by the legislature; reproduced verbatim.

Proposes a constitutional amendment to ensure that the inherent and inalienable right of the people, including future generations, to clean water and air, a healthful environment and climate and healthy native ecosystems and beaches, shall be protected and shall not be infringed. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Sponsors

Sponsors by party (alphabetical): Democratic 4

NameRolePartyChamberDistrict
Mike GabbardPrimary sponsorDemocraticSenate21
Carol FukunagaPrimary sponsorDemocraticSenate11
Sharon MoriwakiPrimary sponsorDemocraticSenate12
Karl RhoadsPrimary sponsorDemocraticSenate13

“Support” is shown only as formal sponsorship recorded by the legislature. Roll-call votes are available on the official bill page.

Recent official actions

  1. Reported from AEN (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 2498) with recommendation of passage on Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referral to JDC/WAM.
  2. Report adopted; Passed Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referred to JDC/WAM.
  3. The committee(s) on AEN recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in AEN were as follows: 4 Aye(s): Senator(s) Gabbard, Rhoads, Awa; Aye(s) with reservations: Senator(s) Richards ; 0 No(es): none; and 1 Excused: Senator(s) DeCoite.
  4. The committee(s) on AEN has rescheduled its public hearing to 02-13-26 3:10PM; CR 224 & Videoconference.
  5. The committee(s) on AEN deleted the measure from the public hearing scheduled on 02-09-26 4:00PM; CR 224 & Videoconference.
  6. The committee(s) on AEN has scheduled a public hearing on 02-09-26 4:00PM; Conference Room 224 & Videoconference.
  7. Referred to AEN, JDC/WAM.
  8. Introduced.
  9. Passed First Reading.

Sources

  1. Open States / Plural (data from the official legislature website)
  2. Official legislature source