STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3050

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 2889

S.D. 2

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2022

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred S.B. No. 2889, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO WATER CATCHMENT SYSTEMS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to provide businesses with the option of using water from rain catchment systems.

Specifically, this measure requires the Department of Health to:

(1) Regulate water catchment systems used for business activities;

(2) Provide testing to businesses that utilize water catchment systems; and

(3) Provide technical assistance on water catchment systems and filtration to business owners who wish to use captured water.

Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from Hawaii Tropical Fruit Growers.

Your Committee received written comments in opposition to this measure from the Department of Health.

Your Committee received written comments on this measure from the Board of Water Supply and International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials.

Your Committee finds that, because water catchment systems capture and store rainwater, establishing regulations that allow water from catchment systems to be used for non-residential purposes will help to preserve the State's potable water resources while ensuring the public's safety.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Clarifying that the rules adopted by the Department of Health shall comply with appendix K of the state plumbing code; and

(2) Making technical nonsubstantive changes for purposes of clarity, consistency, and style.

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 S.B. No. 2889, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 2889, S.D. 2.

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

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DONOVAN M. DELA CRUZ, Chair