STAND.
COM. REP. NO. 1754
Honolulu, Hawaii
, 2023
RE: H.C.R. No. 103
H.D. 1
Honorable Scott K. Saiki
Speaker, House of Representatives
Thirty-Second State Legislature
Regular Session of 2023
State of Hawaii
Sir:
Your Committees on Energy & Environmental Protection and Corrections, Military & Veterans, to which was referred H.C.R. No. 103 entitled:
beg leave to report as follows:
The purpose of
this measure is to urge all branches of the United States military operating in
Hawaii to implement changes in their policies to reduce, to the extent
possible, the use of products containing perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl
substances.
Your
Committees received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of
Health, Hawaii Military Affairs Council, Hawai‘i
Reef and Ocean Coalition, Climate Protectors Hawai‘i,
Environmental Caucus of the Democratic Party of Hawai‘i,
and one individual. Your Committees
received comments on this measure from the American Chemistry Council and two
individuals.
Your Committees find that perfluoroalkyl
and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are persistent, toxic substances that can
contaminate drinking water, bioaccumulate in fish and wildlife, and have
multiple adverse health effects on humans.
Additionally, some of the highest concentrations of PFAS in the country
have been found at and around military bases, in large part because of the
military's longtime reliance on the firefighting foam known as aqueous
film-forming foam, a product containing PFAS.
Your Committees further find that various
PFAS have been detected in soil and groundwater samples across the State that
in some samples show levels that may pose a public health concern. This measure urges all branches of the United
States military operating in the State to reduce, to the extent possible, the
use of products containing PFAS, which will lower the risks associated with
PFAS contamination of the groundwater and drinking water supply in Hawaii.
Your Committees have amended this measure
by:
(1) Updating certain findings; and
(2) Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity, consistency, and style.
As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Energy & Environmental Protection and Corrections, Military & Veterans that are attached to this report, your Committees concur with the intent and purpose of H.C.R. No. 103, as amended herein, and recommend its adoption in the form attached hereto as H.C.R. No. 103, H.D. 1.
Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Energy & Environmental Protection and Corrections, Military & Veterans,
|
____________________________ MARK J. HASHEM, Chair |
|
____________________________ NICOLE E. LOWEN, Chair |