STAND. COM. REP. NO. 133

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2023

RE: H.B. No. 1407

H.D. 1

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2023

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Higher Education & Technology, to which was referred H.B. No. 1407 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO WATER TESTING,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to fund and staff a water testing laboratory at the University of Hawaii Maui College.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the University of Hawai‘i Community Colleges. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of the Attorney General.

Your Committee finds that the University of Hawaii Maui College has been performing water quality testing through federal grant funding which is coming to an end. This measure would ensure the continuation of water quality testing capabilities at the University of Hawaii Maui College, including the training of students in the program, and lessen dependency on laboratories elsewhere in the State. Your Committee further finds that the availability of a resource to provide quicker water quality test results and water quality research promotes the health and safety of the State's environment and residents.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Adding a finding that this measure addresses an issue of statewide concern;

(2) Changing the appropriations to unspecified amounts;

(3) Changing the effective date to June 30, 3000, to encourage further discussion; and

(4) Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity, consistency, and style.

Your Committee respectfully requests your Committee on Finance, should it deliberate on this measure, to consider an appropriation amount of $215,000 for each fiscal year, allocated as follows: $100,000 for the laboratory coordinator; $65,000 for the laboratory assistant; and $50,000 for laboratory and testing supplies.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Higher Education & Technology that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1407, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1407, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Water & Land.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Higher Education & Technology,

____________________________

AMY A. PERRUSO, Chair