H.R. 42 Summary

• Declares a climate emergency in Hawaii and requests statewide collaboration for an immediate just transition and emergency mobilization effort to reduce greenhouse gases and limit warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius.

• Commits Hawaii to a decarbonized economy through clean energy investment, quality jobs, and transformation to zero emissions with appropriate financial and regulatory assistance from state authorities.

• Prohibits further public or private investment and subsidies in fossil fuel projects (coal, oil, gas) and tree-burning projects, redirecting subsidies toward low climate impact energy and workforce retraining.

• Directs state government agencies to facilitate investments in zero emissions energy, electric vehicles, energy efficiency, reforestation, climate-smart agriculture, and climate-friendly land use practices.

• Requires a time-phased implementation plan assigning agency responsibilities and timetables for climate mitigation, adaptation, education, and research programs, including a Climate Impacts section in all departmental reports using lifecycle greenhouse gas analysis.