STAND. COM. REP. NO. 100

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2025

RE: H.B. No. 736

H.D. 1

Honorable Nadine K. Nakamura

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Madame:

Your Committee on Energy & Environmental Protection, to which was referred H.B. No. 736 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO WASTEWATER SYSTEMS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to establish and appropriate funds for a three-year Wastewater System Technology Testing Pilot Program within the University of Hawai‘i Water Resources Research Center.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Health; Department of Hawaiian Home Lands; University of Hawaiʻi Water Resources Research Center; Hawaiʻi Climate Change Mitigation & Adaptation Commission; Environmental Caucus of the Democratic Party of Hawaiʻi; Public Access to SunScreens Coalition; Hawaiʻi Reef & Ocean Coalition; Coral Reef Alliance; WAI: Wastewater Alternatives & Innovations; The Nature Conservancy Hawaiʻi and Palmyra; Hawaiʻi Wai Ola; and five individuals.

Your Committee finds that the State is committed to improving water quality and public health in its programs aimed at transitioning away from cesspools. However, the existing approved replacement options pose their own challenges as advanced treatment units are highly effective but costly and septic systems, though more affordable, have limited nutrient removal efficiency in Hawaii's coastal environments. The lack of viable, cost-effective solutions is a major barrier to meeting the State's water quality goals and could lead to substantial investments with limited impact. This measure addresses some of the State's cesspool conversion challenges by exploring alternative affordable and effective treatment options.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Changing the effective date to July 1, 3000, to encourage further discussion; and

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

Your Committee notes the existing unspecified appropriation amount in this measure and requests the University of Hawaii to provide the anticipated costs to implement the Wastewater System Technology Testing Pilot Program as this measure advances through the legislative process.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Energy & Environmental Protection that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 736, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 736, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Higher Education.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Energy & Environmental Protection,

____________________________

NICOLE E. LOWEN, Chair