STAND. COM. REP. NO. 753

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 1602

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred S.B. No. 1602 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE KEAUHOU AQUIFER SYSTEM,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to establish the Keauhou Aquifer System Monitoring Program and fund the installation of two monitoring wells in the Keauhou Aquifer System.

Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation, the Department of Land and Natural Resources, Natural Energy Laboratory of Hawaii Authority, The Chamber of Commerce Hawaii, and two individuals.

Your Committee finds the Keauhou Aquifer System sustains local communities, ecosystems, and cultural practices. The balance between development and resource sustainability remains a key issue, as stakeholders seek to ensure long-term water availability while preserving the area's environment and culture. Your Committee further finds that monitoring the aquifer will support ongoing efforts to manage the aquifer system responsibly and effectively.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Changing the appropriation to an unspecified amount; and

(2) Changing the effective date to July 1, 2050, to facilitate further discussion.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Ways and Means that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 1602, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 1602, S.D. 1.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Ways and Means,

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DONOVAN M. DELA CRUZ, Chair