Votes at a glance: Waterland Committee advances multiple bills on shorelines, wildfire, beaches and Kalaupapa

The Waterland Committee completed a decision session after extended testimony and discussion and recorded committee recommendations on multiple bills. Highlights of the committee actions taken on March 19, 2026:

- SP3253 SD2 (conservation): Chair recommended passage with an HD1 incorporating DLNR amendments and technical edits; recommendation adopted.

- SB2401 SD1 (regional shoreline mitigation): Committee recommendation to pass with an HD1 that incorporates DLNR and Sanhi amendments and technical changes; members asked staff to refine definitions of adaptation and mitigation and to preserve environmental and cultural review provisions.

- SB3169 SD1 (coastal resilience): Committee moved to defect to a technical date and to insert the contents of HB2490 (an approach DLNR preferred) to reduce opposition; recommendation adopted with amendments.

- SB17 SD2 (Maui wildfire working group): Committee adopted technical amendments, added the insurance commissioner to the working group and aligned the group's work with the state wildfire action strategy; recommendation adopted.

- SB3014 (wildlife/turtles), SB3032 (beaches) and other items: Committee adopted recommendations to pass with amendments; some members recorded reservations about specific technical or statutory conflicts and asked staff to refine language.

- SB1432 SD2 HD1 (Kalaupapa transition): Committee adopted area representative amendments (removing State Historical Area language, adding reporting requirements and a two‑year transition timeline keyed to the last resident) and recommended passage with those amendments.

Committee records show members frequently voted 'aye' during roll calls and noted a handful of reservations on specific measures; the committee chair said committee reports will include technical language and preambles to reflect adopted amendments.

What happens next: Each advanced bill will proceed to the next committee of referral or to floor consideration according to regular legislative process; committee staff will prepare reports that include the adopted amendments.