H.B. 2256 Summary

• Establishes a Department of Environmental Protection effective July 1, 2026, headed by a director who reports to a seven-member board with representatives appointed by the governor, legislature, and four county councils.

• Transfers the Hawaii State Energy Office from the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism to become the Hawaii State Energy Division within the new Department of Environmental Protection.

• Adds the Department of Environmental Protection as a principal department of state government under Chapter 26, Hawaii Revised Statutes, making it the 19th such department.

• Transfers all appropriations, records, equipment, contracts, and employees of the Hawaii State Energy Office to the Department of Environmental Protection while preserving their civil service status and benefits.

• Amends multiple statutes to replace references to "Hawaii state energy office" with "Hawaii state energy division" and updates related civil service exemptions.