STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2053

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2025

RE: S.C.R. No. 103

S.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.C.R. No. 103, S.D. 1, entitled:

"SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE GOVERNOR TO CONVENE A TEMPORARY WORKING GROUP TO INVESTIGATE THE EXISTENCE AND ENVIRONMENTAL DANGERS OF PER- AND POLYFLUOROALKYL SUBSTANCES AND OTHER RELATED CHEMICALS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to request the Governor to convene a temporary working group to investigate the existence and environmental dangers of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances and other related chemicals.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Honolulu Board of Water Supply; Environmental Caucus of the Democratic Party of Hawaiʻi; Hawaiʻi Reef and Ocean Coalition; Coalition Earth; and two individuals.

Your Committee finds that per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are man-made chemicals that persist in the environment after being introduced and pose serious health risks. Your Committee further finds that mitigating the impacts of PFAS requires testing bodies of water, waterways, fish, and other wildlife to identify possible contamination. This measure encourages a coordinated, inter-agency effort to investigate the existence of PFAS and related substances in the State.

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 concurs with the intent and purpose of S.C.R. No. 103, S.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