STAND. COM. REP. NO. 692

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 388

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2023

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committees on Agriculture and Environment and Judiciary, to which was referred S.B. No. 388 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO WASTE DISPOSAL FACILITIES,"

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to prohibit the construction, modification, or expansion of any waste or disposal facility for hazardous or solid waste on land that is near or above a significant aquifer as determined by the Department of Health, in consultation with the Commission on Water Resource Management.

Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from the Board of Water Supply of the City and County of Honolulu, Environmental Caucus of the Democratic Party of Hawai‘i, Hawai‘i Farm Bureau, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local Union 1186, and three individuals. Your Committees received comments on this measure from the Department of Health.

Your Committees find that ground water aquifers are precious natural resources that the people of Hawaii are dependent on to sustain life and well-being across the State. Your Committees additionally recognize that after the Red Hill jet fuel leak that contaminated Oahu's sole source aquifer and the Joint Base Pearl Harbor Hickam water system in November 2021, there is significant interest in protecting and preserving the aquifers throughout the State from any further potential toxic contamination. Thus, this measure provides greater protection of the State's valuable aquifers.

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Agriculture and Environment and Judiciary that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 388 and recommend that it pass Second Reading and be placed on the calendar for Third Reading.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Agriculture and Environment and Judiciary,

________________________________ KARL RHOADS, Chair

________________________________ MIKE GABBARD, Chair