STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1246

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: H.B. No. 736

H.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committees on Higher Education and Agriculture and Environment, to which was referred H.B. No. 736, H.D. 1, entitled:

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

beg leave to report as follows:

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

Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Health; Department of Hawaiian Home Lands; Hawaiʻi Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Commission; University of Hawaiʻi Water Resources Research Center; The Nature Conservancy, Hawaiʻi and Palmyra; Hawaiʻi Association of Realtors; Surfrider Foundation Hawaiʻi Region; Hawaiʻi Reef and Ocean Coalition; WAI: Wastewater Alternatives & Innovations; and eight individuals.

Your Committees find that the State is committed to transitioning away from cesspools to improve water quality and public health. However, your Committees further find that existing wastewater systems approved by the Department of Health may not be affordable for homeowners or government entities. Your Committees additionally find that new, emerging wastewater technologies and management solutions may improve public health and the environment at a more affordable cost than traditional wastewater treatment technologies. Your Committees also find that leveraging the expertise of the University of Hawaii Water Resources Research Center to rigorously test and evaluate new wastewater treatment technologies will expedite the identification of effective and financially feasible solutions while also providing the Department of Health with the necessary scientific basis for approving new, lower-cost alternatives for cesspool conversion. This measure establishes the New Wastewater System and Individual Wastewater System Technology Testing Pilot Program to end the State's reliance on cesspools, improving water quality and public health.

Your Committees note that it may be more efficient for the University of Hawaii Water Resources Research Center to test multiple wastewater technology systems simultaneously. Therefore, your Committees believe that the University of Hawaii Water Resources Research Center should prioritize expanding the testing facility's capacity for the simultaneous testing of multiple wastewater technology systems.

Your Committees also note that Genki Balls represent an effective bioremediation tool that has been used to remove pollutants from soil and water in the Ala Wai Canal. Your Committees believe that the University of Hawaii Water Resources Research Facility should test Genki Balls to determine the viability of Genki Balls for wastewater treatment. Your Committees further believe that the University of Hawaii Water Resources Research Center should also test other water remediation technologies that have been deployed to great effect elsewhere.

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Higher Education and Agriculture and Environment that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 736, H.D. 1, and recommend that it pass Second Reading and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Higher Education and Agriculture and Environment,

________________________________ MIKE GABBARD, Chair

________________________________ DONNA MERCADO KIM, Chair