STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3346

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    H.B. No. 1852

       H.D. 1

       S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Twenty-Eighth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2016

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred H.B. No. 1852, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO WATER POLLUTION,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to clarify that nonprofit organizations may receive loans from the Water Pollution Control Revolving Fund to engage in activities that are consistent with the Federal Water Pollution Control Act, including the planning, designing, and construction of wastewater treatment works.

     Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from one individual.  Your Committee received written comments on this measure from the Department of Health.

     Your Committee recognizes that certain areas of the State are more likely than others to have cesspools, which leaves the groundwater in those areas susceptible to contamination.  Your Committee finds that areas of the State that are prone to cesspools would be greatly served by wastewater treatment plants.  Despite the significant costs, groups of residents may be willing to work together to design, plan, and construct a wastewater treatment plant to serve their area.

     Your Committee further finds that the water pollution control revolving fund offers financial assistance for a wide range of wastewater infrastructure projects, but presently nonprofit organizations may not receive loans for the planning, designing, or construction of wastewater treatment works.  Your Committee believes that expanding the authorized uses of the water pollution control revolving fund to allow nonprofit organizations to receive loans from the revolving fund to plan, design, or construct wastewater treatment works will encourage and allow groups of residents living in cesspool-dependent areas to develop wastewater treatment plants.

     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 H.B. No. 1852, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Ways and Means,

________________________________

JILL N. TOKUDA, Chair