SB3253 Creates Hawaii Conservation Sanctuary Nonprofit
Summary
Hawaii SB3253 passed both chambers in the 2026 Regular Session, establishing the Hawaii Conservation Sanctuary as a nonprofit entity. The measure aims to protect and expand populations of endangered species and other native wildlife in Hawaii. The bill moved through House committees on WAL, EEP, and FIN before final passage.
What changed
Hawaii SB3253 establishes the Hawaii Conservation Sanctuary as a nonprofit entity dedicated to protecting and expanding populations of endangered species and native wildlife in the State. The bill passed the Senate on Third Reading with 24 ayes and 1 nay, then cleared House committees WAL, EEP, and FIN before passage. The effective date is stated as July 1, 3000.
Conservation organizations and environmental groups operating in Hawaii should monitor the implementation of this new nonprofit entity, as it may create partnership opportunities or affect existing conservation programs. The measure represents Hawaii's legislative commitment to biodiversity protection but imposes no immediate compliance obligations on private entities.
What to do next
- Monitor for governor's signature and implementation details
- Review nonprofit governance requirements under the new law
- Track any compliance obligations for conservation activities
Archived snapshot
Apr 8, 2026GovPing captured this document from the original source. If the source has since changed or been removed, this is the text as it existed at that time.
ChangeBridge / Hawaii / SB3253 Passed SB3253 Senate Bill Passed 2026-03-10
Relating To Conservation.
Establishes the Hawaii Conservation Sanctuary as a nonprofit entity to protect and expand populations of endangered species and other native wildlife in the State. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)
Bill Details
State Hawaii
Session 2026 Regular Session
Chamber Senate
Official Source www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_ind...
LegiScan View on LegiScan
Sponsors
Chris Lee (Sen - D) Stanley Chang (Sen - D) Tim Richards (Sen - D)
Action History
2026-04-07 H The committee on FIN recommend that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED. The votes were as follows: 15 Ayes: Representative(s) Todd, Takenouchi, Hartsfield, Hussey, Keohokapu-Lee Loy, Kitagawa, Kusch, Lee, M., Miyake, Perruso, Templo, Yamashita, Reyes Oda; Ayes with reservations: Representative(s) Alcos, Gedeon; Noes: none; and 1 Excused: Representative(s) Morikawa. 2026-04-02 H Bill scheduled for decision making on Tuesday, 04-07-26 10:10AM in conference room 308 VIA VIDEOCONFERENCE. 2026-04-02 H The committee(s) on FIN recommend(s) that the measure be deferred until 04-07-26. 2026-03-31 H Bill scheduled to be heard by FIN on Thursday, 04-02-26 2:00PM in House conference room 308 VIA VIDEOCONFERENCE. 2026-03-30 H Report adopted; referred to the committee(s) on FIN with Representative(s) Gedeon voting aye with reservations; Representative(s) Alcos, Garcia, Pierick, Shimizu voting no (4) and Representative(s) Cochran, Lowen, Perruso, Quinlan excused (4). 2026-03-30 H Reported from EEP (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 1436-26), recommending referral to FIN. 2026-03-24 H The committee on EEP recommend that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED. The votes were as follows: 5 Ayes: Representative(s) Lowen, Perruso, Chun, Kusch, Matsumoto; Ayes with reservations: none; 0 Noes: none; and 2 Excused: Representative(s) Kahaloa, Quinlan. 2026-03-20 H Bill scheduled to be heard by EEP on Tuesday, 03-24-26 10:00AM in House conference room 325 VIA VIDEOCONFERENCE. 2026-03-20 H Passed Second Reading as amended in HD 1 and referred to the committee(s) on EEP with Representative(s) Cochran, Shimizu voting aye with reservations; Representative(s) Alcos, Garcia, Muraoka, Pierick voting no (4) and Representative(s) Quinlan excused (1). 2026-03-20 H Reported from WAL (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 1303-26) as amended in HD 1, recommending passage on Second Reading and referral to EEP. 2026-03-19 H The committee on WAL recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes were as follows: 8 Ayes: Representative(s) Hashem, Morikawa, Ichiyama, Poepoe, Woodson, Souza; Ayes with reservations: Representative(s) Iwamoto, Shimizu; Noes: none; and 1 Excused: Representative(s) Belatti. 2026-03-16 H Bill scheduled to be heard by WAL on Thursday, 03-19-26 9:00AM in House conference room 411 VIA VIDEOCONFERENCE. 2026-03-12 H Referred to WAL, EEP, FIN, referral sheet 17 2026-03-12 H Pass First Reading 2026-03-10 H Received from Senate (Sen. Com. No. 393) in amended form (SD 2). 2026-03-10 S Report Adopted; Passed Third Reading, as amended (SD 2). Ayes, 24; Aye(s) with reservations: none. Noes, 1 (Senator(s) Awa). Excused, 0 (none). Transmitted to House. 2026-03-06 S 48 Hrs. Notice 03-10-26. 2026-03-06 S Reported from WAM (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 2951) with recommendation of passage on Third Reading, as amended (SD 2). 2026-03-03 S The committee(s) on WAM recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in WAM were as follows: 12 Aye(s): Senator(s) Dela Cruz, Moriwaki, DeCoite, Elefante, Hashimoto, Inouye, Kanuha, Kidani, Kim, Lee, C., Richards, Wakai; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 1 Excused: Senator(s) Fevella. 2026-02-25 S The committee(s) on WAM deferred the measure until 03-03-26 10:15AM; Conference Room 211 & Videoconference. 2026-02-23 S The committee(s) on WAM will hold a public decision making on 02-25-26 10:56AM; Conference Room 211 & Videoconference. 2026-02-20 S Report adopted; Passed Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referred to WAM. 2026-02-20 S Reported from WLA/AEN (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 2625) with recommendation of passage on Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referral to WAM. 2026-02-11 S The committee(s) on WLA recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in WLA were as follows: 4 Aye(s): Senator(s) Lee, C., Chang, Lamosao, DeCorte; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 1 Excused: Senator(s) Inouye. 2026-02-11 S The committee(s) on AEN recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in AEN were as follows: 5 Aye(s): Senator(s) Gabbard, Richards, DeCoite, Rhoads, Awa; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 0 Excused: none. 2026-02-06 S The committee(s) on WLA/AEN has scheduled a public hearing on 02-11-26 1:00PM; CR 224 & Videoconference. 2026-02-02 S Referred to WLA/AEN, WAM. 2026-01-28 S Passed First Reading. 2026-01-28 S Introduced.
Votes
2026-02-11 Senate Water, Land, and Agriculture: Passed, With Amendments Yea: 4 Nay: 0 2026-02-11 Senate Agriculture and Environment: Passed, With Amendments Yea: 5 Nay: 0 2026-03-03 Senate Ways and Means: Passed, With Amendments Yea: 12 Nay: 0
Committee Referrals
2026-02-02 S Water, Land, and Agriculture 2026-02-20 S Ways and Means 2026-03-12 H Water & Land 2026-03-20 H Energy & Environmental Protection 2026-03-30 H Finance
Bill Text Versions
2026-01-27 Introduced 2026-02-19 Amended 2026-03-05 Amended 2026-03-20 Amended
Subjects
DLNR Endangered Species Conservation Hawaii Conservation Sanctuary Native Wildlife Legislative data powered by LegiScan (CC BY 4.0)
Named provisions
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