STAND. COM. REP. NO. 631

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2025

RE: H.B. No. 735

H.D. 2

Honorable Nadine K. Nakamura

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Madame:

Your Committee on Water & Land, to which was referred H.B. No. 735, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO WASTEWATER,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to allow an individual wastewater system to serve up to five bedrooms, regardless of the number of dwelling units or accessory units, whether attached or detached, with certain exceptions.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from one member of the Kauaʻi County Council; Grassroot Institute of Hawaii; Hanalei Initiative; and two individuals. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Health.

Your Committee finds that this measure would provide smaller-scale builders more flexibility in constructing housing to meet the needs of local residents, conform to individual lot configurations, and comply with county zoning rules.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Clarifying that the provisions of this measure also apply to dwellings; and

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

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. 735, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Finance in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 735, H.D. 2.

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

____________________________

MARK J. HASHEM, Chair