STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1395

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2025

RE: S.B. No. 1232

S.D. 2

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 S.B. No. 1232, S.D. 2, H.D. 1, 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 to the University of Hawaii for a three-year New Wastewater Technology Testing Pilot Program.

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 and Adaptation Commission; Hawaiʻi Reef and Ocean Coalition; Environmental Caucus of the Democratic Party of Hawaiʻi; The Nature Conservancy, Hawaiʻi and Palmyra; and Hawaiʻi Association of REALTORS.

Your Committee finds that every cesspool in the State, except for cesspools granted exemptions by the Director of Health, must be upgraded or converted to a Director of Health-approved wastewater system or connected to a sewerage system by January 1, 2050. Your Committee recognizes that the costs associated with the upgrade, conversion, or connection of cesspools are significant and that there are new and emerging wastewater technologies and management solutions that may be more effective and less costly. This measure ensures that the affordability, feasibility, and efficiency of these new technologies are assessed as possible alternatives.

Your Committee requests your Committee on Finance, should it deliberate on this measure, to consider an appropriation amount of $750,000.

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 S.B. No. 1232, S.D. 2, H.D. 1, and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Finance.

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

____________________________

NICOLE E. LOWEN, Chair