STAND. COM. REP. NO. 101

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2025

RE: H.B. No. 969

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. 969 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO WASTE OR DISPOSAL FACILITIES,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to prohibit the construction, modification, or expansion of any waste or disposal facility on land that is near or above a significant aquifer, as determined by the Department of Health.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Honolulu Board of Water Supply; Environmental Caucus of the Democratic Party of Hawaiʻi; North Shore Chamber of Commerce; Hawaiʻi Farm Bureau; Sierra Club of Hawaiʻi; IATSE Local 665; Health Committee of the Democratic Party of Hawaiʻi; Hawaiʻi Farmers Union; Kupuna for the Moopuna; Green Party of Hawaiʻi; Ka Lahui Hawaiʻi; Free Access Coalition; International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 1260; and numerous individuals. Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from the County of Kauaʻi Department of Public Works. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Health and Department of Environmental Services of the City and County of Honolulu.

Your Committee finds that the State's aquifers are essential to public health and safety. Aquifers provide source water for domestic uses, agricultural irrigation, industrial uses, cultural practices, and environmental habitats through springs and wetlands. This measure strives to protect the State's aquifers by preventing possible environmental contamination through landfills and other waste or disposal facilities.

Your Committee has amended this measure by changing the effective date to July 1, 3000, to encourage further discussion.

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. 969, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 969, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Water & Land.

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

____________________________

NICOLE E. LOWEN, Chair