STAND.
COM. REP. NO. 734
Honolulu, Hawaii
, 2023
RE: H.B. No. 181
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 Consumer Protection & Commerce, to which was referred H.B. No. 181, H.D. 1, entitled:
"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO CESSPOOLS,"
begs leave to report as follows:
(1) Priority level 1 cesspools to be upgraded, converted, or connected before January 1, 2030; and
(2) Priority level 2 cesspools to be upgraded, converted, or connected before January 1, 2035.
Your Committee received testimony in support of this
measure from the Department of Land and Natural Resources; Department of
Health; Hawai‘i
Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Commission; Hawai‘i Green Infrastructure
Authority; Department of Environmental Management of the County of Hawai‘i; WAI: Wastewater Alternatives & Innovations;
Hawai‘i
Reef and Ocean Coalition; Friends of Hanauma Bay; Surfrider Foundation, Hawai‘i Region; Kingdom Pathways; and
six individuals. Your Committee received
testimony in opposition to this measure from one individual. Your Committee received comments on this measure
from the Hawai‘i
Association of REALTORS.
Your Committee finds that cesspools are a major source of pollution to Hawaii's waters. Cesspools discharge untreated sewage, which may reach the groundwater and flow into drinking water sources, streams, and the ocean. Since approximately ninety-five percent of all drinking water in the State comes from groundwater sources, these discharges pose a serious risk of harm to public health and the environment.
Your Committee further finds that the Legislature, through Act 125, Session Laws of Hawaii 2017, mandated the upgrade or conversion of all cesspools in the State to certain wastewater management systems or connection to a sewerage system by 2050. However, the Cesspool Conversion Working Group, established by Act 132, Session Laws of Hawaii 2018, recommended an accelerated conversion for those cesspools that pose greater environmental risk. This measure implements that recommendation.
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. 181, H.D. 1, and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Finance.
Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce,
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____________________________ MARK M. NAKASHIMA, Chair |
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