STAND.
COM. REP. NO. 2076
Honolulu, Hawaii
, 2025
RE: S.C.R. No. 118
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 Health, to which was referred S.C.R. No. 118, S.D. 1, entitled:
"SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH TO CONVENE A WORKING GROUP TO ASSESS THE FEASIBILITY OF ALLOWING BUSINESS OWNERS IN THE STATE TO UTILIZE FILTERED WATER COLLECTED BY WATER CATCHMENT SYSTEMS FOR BUSINESS ACTIVITIES,"
begs leave to report as follows:
The
purpose of this measure is to request
the Department of Health to convene a working group to assess the feasibility
of allowing business owners in the State to utilize filtered water collected by
water catchment systems for business activities.
Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure
from Department of Agriculture; Honolulu Board of Water Supply; Department of
Water Supply for the County of Hawaiʻi; and Chamber of Commerce Hawaii. Your Committee received comments on this
measure from the Department of Health.
Your Committee finds
that there is a growing need to address the fragility of the State's
underground aquifers, which take decades to naturally replenish and are
susceptible to chemical spills and leaks, droughts, and commercial
overuse. Your Committee further finds
that although many of Hawaii's residents use rainwater catchment for their
primary domestic water sources, existing law limits the use of captured water
for personal uses only and prohibits its use in business activities. This measure would examine the feasibility of
allowing business owners to use filtered water collected by catchment systems
for business activities, which could allow the State to supplement its existing
water infrastructure and reduce the strain on the State's aquifers.
As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Health that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of S.C.R. No. 118, 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 Health,
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____________________________ GREGG TAKAYAMA, Chair |
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