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Hawaii · 2026 Regular Session · Bill

SB 3323: RELATING TO ECOSYSTEM RIGHTS.

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 3323 is a bill introduced in the Hawaii Senate on January 30, 2026. According to its official title, it concerns: RELATING TO ECOSYSTEM RIGHTS. Primary sponsor: Les Ihara (Democratic). Most recent recorded action (February 11, 2026): The committee on WLA deferred the measure.

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.

Recognizes watersheds and coral reef ecosystems as legal persons with inherent and inalienable rights to exist, flourish, and naturally evolve. Establishes enforceable ecosystem rights grounded in public trust doctrine and Native Hawaiian customary stewardship. Authorizes citizen enforcement, restorative and injunctive remedies, civil penalties, and continuing duties of ecological repair, including for historic harms. Provides for open representation, community consultation, co-governance, and supremacy over conflicting laws.

Sponsors

Sponsors by party (alphabetical): Democratic 1

NameRolePartyChamberDistrict
Les IharaPrimary sponsorDemocraticSenate10

“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. The committee on WLA deferred the measure.
  2. The committee(s) on AEN recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in AEN were as follows: 2 Aye(s): Senator(s) Gabbard; Aye(s) with reservations: Senator(s) Rhoads ; 3 No(es): Senator(s) Richards, DeCoite, Awa; and 0 Excused: none.
  3. The recommendation was not adopted.
  4. The committee(s) on AEN/WLA has scheduled a public hearing on 02-11-26 3:00PM; CR 224 & Videoconference.
  5. Referred to AEN/WLA, JDC.
  6. Introduced.
  7. Passed First Reading.

Sources

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