STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1460

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2025

RE: S.B. No. 1221

S.D. 2

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 Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs, to which was referred S.B. No. 1221, S.D. 2, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO STORMWATER MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to:

(1) Require the counties to adopt ordinances to regulate retention and detention ponds, including establishing a permitting process for the construction of new ponds and safety standards for ponds;

(2) Require the counties to conduct a survey of existing retention and detention ponds statewide and submit a report to the Legislature; and

(3) Appropriate funds as a grant-in-aid to the counties.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Waikiki Neighborhood Board; Keiki Injury Prevention Coalition; Hawaii Water Safety Coalition; Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement; Hawaiʻi Lodging & Tourism Association; and numerous individuals. Your Committee received comments on this measure from one individual.

Your Committee finds that retention and detention ponds, while essential for managing stormwater runoff, can become dangerous due to sudden water level fluctuations and deep standing water. Without proper maintenance or safety regulations, these ponds pose a significant hazard, especially to young children who may unknowingly enter unsafe areas. This measure implements stricter oversight on the design and permitting of these ponds, including the adoption of safety standards, to reduce drowning risks and better protect Hawaii's children and communities.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Clarifying that the grant-in-aid to the counties are additionally for the regulation of retention ponds and detention ponds located within their jurisdiction; 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 Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 1221, S.D. 2, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Finance in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 1221, S.D. 2, H.D. 2.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs,

____________________________

DAVID A. TARNAS, Chair