STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3110

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    H.B. No. 2211

Honorable Colleen Hanabusa

President of the Senate

Twenty-Fourth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2008

State of Hawaii

Madam:

     Your Committee on Energy and Environment, to which was referred H.B. No. 2211 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT MAKING AN APPROPRIATION FOR WASTEWATER PROJECTS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this measure is to appropriate funds for the Water Pollution Control Revolving Fund.

     Testimony in support of the measure was submitted by the Department of Environmental Services of the City and County of Honolulu, Hawaii Bio Energy, the Department of Environmental Management of the County of Maui, the Department of Environmental Management of the County of Hawaii, the Hawaii County Council, a Hawaii County councilmember, a Kauai County councilmember, and the County of Kauai Public Works Department.  Testimony in opposition of the measure was submitted by the Department of Health.  Comments on the measure were also submitted by the Mayor of the County of Hawaii and the University of Hawaii System.

     Your Committee finds that pursuant to section 342D-83, Hawaii Revised Statutes, the Water Pollution Control Revolving Fund was established to provide financial assistance to eligible parties for projects or activities to plan, design, and construct publicly owned wastewater treatment works, implement management programs, and implement conservation and management plans.  Currently, the Revolving Fund is depleted and must be replenished to allow the fund to be administered, operated, and maintained to remain available in perpetuity for its stated purpose, as provided in section 342D-83, Hawaii Revised Statutes.  This measure appropriates funds for the Water Pollution Control Revolving Fund to ensure the needs of the State and the counties are addressed, including the replacement of large-capacity cesspools in accordance with federal law.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Energy and Environment that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2211, and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Energy and Environment,

____________________________

RON MENOR, Chair