STAND. COM. REP. NO. 14

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 455

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirtieth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2019

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Agriculture and Environment, to which was referred S.B. No. 455 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO WASTEWATER MANAGEMENT,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to authorize the issuance of general obligation bonds and appropriate funds to the Department of Health for a study, design, engineering, and land acquisition for a wastewater treatment plant in Pahoa, Hawaii.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Office of the Mayor of the County of Hawaii, one member of the Hawai‘i County Council, Mainstreet Pahoa Association, O‘ahu County Committee on Legislative Priorities of the Democratic Party of Hawai‘i, Malama O Puna, and four individuals. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Health.

Your Committee finds that the oldest buildings in Pahoa were built in the mid-1800s and have cesspools. The proximity of the buildings to each other leaves limited space for upgrades, conversions, or connections of cesspools. The Department of Health has identified 220 cesspools in the Kapoho area, near Pahoa on the island of Hawaii, among the cesspools in the top fourteen priority areas for upgrade or closure.

Additionally, recent volcanic activity impacted the Pahoa community in many ways. Pahoa's economy has suffered, and many businesses have closed. As the new gateway to the volcano, Pahoa expects more tourism and needs proper infrastructure to support the town and tourists.

Based on testimony, your Committee finds that in order to improve infrastructure and water quality, Pahoa needs a study, design, engineering, and land acquisition for a wastewater treatment.

Your Committee notes testimony submitted by the Department of Health indicating that while the department regulates wastewater systems, it is not the appropriate agency to fund a study, design, engineering, and land acquisition for a wastewater treatment plant for Pahoa. State law authorizes each county to construct, manage, and maintain sewers. Therefore, your Committee finds that the County of Hawai‘i would be a more appropriate agency to implement this measure.

Accordingly, your Committee has amended this measure by designating the County of Hawai‘i as the project lead and expending agency in lieu of the Department of Health.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Agriculture and Environment that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 455, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 455, S.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

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

________________________________

MIKE GABBARD, Chair