STAND. COM. REP. NO. 971

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 1598

S.D. 2

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2023

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred S.B. No. 1598, S.D. 1, entitled:

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

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to help ensure water safety and quality in the County of Maui.

Specifically, this measure appropriates moneys to support water testing at the University of Hawaii Maui College.

Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the University of Hawaii.

Your Committee finds that there is currently only one water quality testing laboratory on the island of Maui, which is operated by the County of Maui and only serves the County of Maui's agencies. Other water quality testing samples must be sent to the island of Oahu and take up to twelve weeks to be returned. Your Committee further finds that the appropriation made by this measure will allow for faster water quality test results for Maui residents and communities.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Inserting a legislative finding that identifies water quality testing as a matter of statewide concern;

(2) Clarifying the purpose of the appropriation;

(3) Changing the amount of the appropriation from $215,000 to an unspecified sum; and

(4) Changing the effective date to July 1, 2050, to facilitate further discussion on 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 S.B. No. 1598, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 1598, S.D. 2.

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

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DONOVAN M. DELA CRUZ, Chair