STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1781

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: H.B. No. 879

H.D. 1

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 H.B. No. 879, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO CESSPOOL CONVERSIONS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to increase the maximum grant amount for the cesspool compliance pilot grant project.

Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the Department of Health; Department of Hawaiian Home Lands; City and County of Honolulu Office of Climate Change, Sustainability and Resiliency; Hawaii Association of REALTORS; Nature Conservancy; Windward Coalition; Hawaii Reef and Ocean Coalition; Public Access to Sunscreens; Coral Reef Alliance; Surfrider Foundation Hawaii Region; Reef Guardians Hawaii - Na Kiai Apapa; WAI: Wastewater Alternatives and Innovations; and eight individuals.

Your Committee finds that the costs of upgrading or converting a cesspool can pose a significant financial burden for low- and moderate-income families. The additional grant moneys made available by this measure will help the State meet its cesspool conversion mandate by assisting eligible property owners, including lessees on Hawaiian Home Lands, with these costs.

Your Committee notes that the Department of Health requests appropriations of:

(1) $5,000,000 for fiscal years 2025-2026 and 2026-2027 to fund the cesspool compliance pilot grant project; and

(2) $251,070 for fiscal years 2025-2026 and 2026-2027 to establish three full-time equivalent (3.0 FTE) permanent positions within the Department of Health to implement the purposes of the measure.

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 H.B. No. 879, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

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

________________________________

DONOVAN M. DELA CRUZ, Chair