Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2002

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred S.B. No. 2774, S.D. 1, entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to broaden the class of recipients eligible for assistance in financing nonpoint source pollution and other eligible water pollution control projects.

Specifically, the measure adds private entities and landowners to counties and state agencies, as parties eligible for financial assistance.

Your Committee finds that most of the pollution found in Hawaii's water environment results from nonpoint sources, the vast majority of which occur on private lands. These nonpoint sources of pollution include polluted runoff from communities, construction sites, agricultural and other sources, and cesspool and septic tank seepage, leaks, and runoff. Your Committee further finds that protecting and improving the quality of state waters by providing loans and other financial assistance to water pollution prevention, control, and abatement projects, including projects by counties, state agencies, and private landowners and individuals, is in the interest of the public's health, safety, and welfare.

Your Committee has amended the measure by making technical, nonsubstantive changes for purposes of style, clarity, and consistency.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Ways and Means that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2774, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 2774, S.D. 2.