STAND. COM. REP. NO. 691-22

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2022

RE: H.B. No. 2514

H.D. 1

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2022

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce, to which was referred H.B. No. 2514, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO UNDERGROUND STORAGE TANKS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to prohibit the operation of underground storage tanks with a capacity greater than one hundred thousand gallons.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Health; Honolulu Board of Water Supply; Surfrider Foundation Hawai‘i Region; Protect Kaho‘olawe ‘Ohana; Sierra Club of Hawai‘i; Hawai‘i Alliance for Community-Based Economic Development; 350Hawaii.org; Aloha ‘Āina Legal Group, LLLC; ‘Ahahui o nā Kauka; Our Revolution Hawaii; Livable Hawaii Kai Hui; Hawai‘i Alliance for Progressive Action; Hawai‘i Public Health Institute; Environmental Caucus of the Democratic Party of Hawai‘i; Environmental Justice Task Force of Faith Action for Community Equity; and numerous individuals. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Land and Natural Resources and Office of Planning and Sustainable Development.

Your Committee finds that there are leakage risks associated with underground storage tanks that contain hazardous materials, with large capacity underground storage tanks presenting a higher potential for large leakage events. Water contamination from leaky underground storage tanks can have a devastating impact on the environment and directly impacts the health and quality of life of Hawaii residents. This measure seeks to prohibit the operation of underground storage tanks with a capacity greater than one hundred thousand gallons, which will reduce the risk of potential contamination of the State's potable drinking water sources.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2514, H.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce,

____________________________

AARON LING JOHANSON, Chair