STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1813

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: H.B. No. 1079

H.D. 2

S.D. 2

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2023

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committees on Judiciary and Ways and Means, to which was referred H.B. No. 1079, H.D. 2, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO WATER POLLUTION CONTROL,"

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to:

(1) Revise chapter 342D, Hawaii Revised Statutes, to add definitions that are consistent with federal Clean Water Act regulations;

(2) Clarify the Director of Health's role as a certifying agency, including enforcement of water quality certifications; and

(3) Increase certain statutory civil penalties.

Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Health.

Your Committees find that the Department of Health protects state waters from surface water pollution through the issuance of permits, variances, and water quality certifications. This measure will provide a framework for the State's certification program to uphold Hawaii's water quality standards and further maintain a sufficient economic deterrence against violations of water pollution control laws.

Your Committees have amended this measure by making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity and consistency.

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Judiciary and Ways and Means that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1079, H.D. 2, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommend that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1079, H.D. 2, S.D. 2.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Judiciary and Ways and Means,

________________________________ DONOVAN M. DELA CRUZ, Chair

________________________________ KARL RHOADS, Chair