STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3543

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.R. No. 112

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2024

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committees on Health and Human Services and Agriculture and Environment, to which was referred S.R. No. 112 entitled:

"SENATE RESOLUTION URGING THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH TO TAKE ALL ACTION NECESSARY TO REQUIRE A wASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT TO TEST SEWAGE SLUDGE AND ANY OTHER RESIDUAL MATERIAL FOR THE PRESENCE OF PERFLUOROALKYL AND POLYFLUOROALKYL SUBSTANCES,"

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to is to urge the Department of Health to take all action necessary to require a wastewater treatment plant to test sewage sludge and any other residual material for the presence of perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances.

Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from the Environmental Caucus and the Democratic Party of Hawaiʻi and one individual.

Your Committees find that perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl (PFAS) substances found in reclaimed water and sewage sludge can pose a range of health and environmental risks. Because reclaimed water can be used for agricultural practices, requiring regular testing will help identify potential PFAS contamination and allow for appropriate management and mitigation measures for the safety of consumers, farmers, and the environment. Additionally, your Committees find that despite the Department of Health and the Honolulu Board of Water Supply actively testing the State's drinking water wells for PFAS, "forever chemicals" have been detected in the soil, groundwater, and drinking water, demonstrating the need for wastewater purveyors, the military, and other government agencies to test for PFAS. Your Committees further find that regular testing and monitoring of reclaimed water at wastewater treatment plants through environmental regulations and public health guidelines demonstrates responsible management of wastewater facilities by the Department of Health.

Your Committees have amended this measure by:

(1) Amending its title accordingly; and

(2) Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity and consistency.

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Health and Human Services and Agriculture and Environment that are attached to this report, your Committees concur with the intent and purpose of S.R. No. 112, as amended herein, and recommend its adoption in the form attached hereto as S.R. No. 112, S.D. 1.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Health and Human Services and Agriculture and Environment,

________________________________ MIKE GABBARD, Chair

________________________________ JOY A. SAN BUENAVENTURA, Chair