STAND. COM. REP. NO. 585-22

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2022

RE: H.B. No. 2148

H.D. 1

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2022

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Water & Land, to which was referred H.B. No. 2148, H.D. 1, entitled:

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

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to:

(1) Add, amend, and reorganize sections in chapter 342D, Hawaii Revised Statutes, to consolidate water quality certification requirements and include wetlands in the definition of "state waters";

(2) Clarify the Director of Health's responsibility as a water quality certifying agency under federal regulations;

(3) Increase the maximum statutory civil penalties in section 342D-30, Hawaii Revised Statutes, to match the amounts of federal penalties; and

(4) Increase the penalty for denying, obstructing, or hampering the entry or inspection by authorized officers or employees of any building, place, or vehicle to match the penalty enacted in section 342B-47(d), Hawaii Revised Statutes.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Health.

Your Committee finds that the Department of Health protects state waters from surface water pollution through the issuance of permits, variances, and water quality certifications. This measure will provide a framework for the State's certification program to uphold Hawaii's water quality standards and further maintain a sufficient economic deterrence against violations of water pollution control laws.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Water & Land that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2148, H.D. 1, and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Water & Land,

____________________________

DAVID A. TARNAS, Chair