STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3468

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: H.B. No. 2195

H.D. 2

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2022

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committees on Health and Agriculture and Environment, to which was referred H.B. No. 2195, H.D. 2, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO CESSPOOLS,"

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to establish and appropriate funds for a Cesspool Compliance Pilot Grant Project to assist low- and moderate-income property owners, including lessees on Hawaiian home lands, with the costs of upgrading, converting, or connecting a cesspool.

Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Health, Department of Hawaiian Home Lands, one member of the Hawai‘i County Council, Hawai‘i Reef and Ocean Coalition, Wastewater Alternatives and Innovations LLC, Rotary Club Hanalei Bay Foundation, Zero Waste Kauai, and seven individuals. Your Committees received comments on this measure from the Department of Budget and Finance and one individual.

Your Committees find that Act 125, Session Laws of Hawaii 2017, required all cesspools to be upgraded or converted to a septic system or aerobic treatment unit system, or connected to a sewerage system, by 2050. Your Committees further find that upgrading or converting a cesspool can impose a significant financial burden, particularly on low- and moderate-income families. This measure establishes and appropriates funds for a Cesspool Compliance Pilot Grant Project to help low- and moderate-income property owners upgrade or convert failing cesspools to a wastewater system approved by the Director of Health, or connect a failing cesspool to a sewerage system.

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Health and Agriculture and Environment that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2195, H.D. 2, and recommend that it pass Second Reading and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Health and Agriculture and Environment,

________________________________ MIKE GABBARD, Chair

________________________________ JARRETT KEOHOKALOLE, Chair