THE SENATE	S.B. NO.	3008
THIRTY-FIRST LEGISLATURE, 2022
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

rELATING TO ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that there is a single general permit for all prospective food waste composters that is designed to handle all potential applicants ranging from small- to large-scale operations. Potential small-scale food waste composters have indicated that the application process is too daunting, deterring them from applying. As a result, the State has lost a valuable opportunity to reduce the amount of waste that enters landfills, create economic benefits for composters, and increase the supply of local organic soil enhancers for Hawaii's agricultural and horticultural industries.

The legislature further finds that the solid and hazardous waste branch of the department of health had intended to develop an additional, simplified application process for its general permit targeting small-scale composters of green waste and food waste to encourage more small-scale composters to apply for permits. The simplified process would have increased the workload on the solid and hazardous waste branch to provide education to prospective applicants, process applications, conduct site inspections, and respond to complaints. However, an environmental health specialist position dedicated to these types of solid waste facilities was eliminated and the responsibilities of that position were absorbed by other positions, leaving the solid and hazardous waste branch unable to expand services to include the simplified general permit application process for small-scale composters.

Therefore, the purpose of this Act is to restore an environmental specialist IV position to the solid and hazardous waste branch of the department of health.

SECTION 2. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $55,200 or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2022-2023 for an environmental specialist IV position for the solid and hazardous waste branch of the department of health.

The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of health for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 3. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2022.

INTRODUCED BY:

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Report Title:

Environmental Health Specialist IV; Composting; Appropriation

Description:

Appropriates funds to restore an environmental health specialist IV position to the solid and hazardous waste branch of the department of health.

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