STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1532

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: H.B. No. 1020

H.D. 1

S.D. 2

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred H.B. No. 1020, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO A PROGRAM TO CHARACTERIZE CARBON SEQUESTRATION POTENTIAL AND UNDERGROUND WATER RESOURCES STATEWIDE,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to establish a carbon sequestration and underground water resource characterization program that identifies the location and characteristics of underground water and carbon sequestration resources across the State.

Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism; Hawaii State Energy Office; Coalition Earth; Sustainable Energy Hawaii; Ulupono Initiative; Waika Consulting; and six individuals.

Your Committee received written comments on this measure from one individual.

Your Committee finds that obtaining a better understanding of carbon sequestration potential and the location and temperature of underground water resources across the State can have numerous benefits for agriculture, clean energy, and land use. Your Committee further finds that this scientific exploration should be conducted responsibly with a statewide environmental assessment of a slim-hole exploration program, and with robust community engagement.

Your Committee has amended this measure by adding the phrase "and geothermal exploration" to all instances where the phrase "carbon sequestration and underground water" is mentioned in the measure.

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 H.B. No. 1020, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1020, H.D. 1, 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