STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1148-24

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2024

RE: S.B. No. 2322

S.D. 1

H.D. 1

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2024

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committees on Energy & Environmental Protection and Water & Land, to which was referred S.B. No. 2322, S.D. 1, entitled:

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

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to require and appropriate funds for the Department of Health to continue water testing during brown water advisories, with certain exceptions.

Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from the Surfrider Foundation, Hawaiʻi Region; WAI: Wastewater Alternatives & Innovations; Hawaii Lifeguard Hui; Polanui Hiu; Hui O Heʻe Nalu; Kihei Community Association; Windward Coalition for Community Concerns; Waiwai Ola Waterkeepers Hawaiian Islands; Kaiola Canoe Club; Friends of Hanauma Bay; Mālama Maunalua; Sierra Club of Hawaiʻi; Earthjustice; Center for Biological Diversity; West Maui Preservation Association; Maui Tomorrow Foundation; The Makaliʻi Group; Friends of Mahaʻulepu; Kiaʻi Wai O Waiʻaleʻaleʻ; HAMER; Young Progressives Demanding Action Hawaiʻi; Hawaiʻi Wilflife Fund; HI Strikes Back; Surfrider Foundation, Oʻahu Chapter; and five individuals. Your Committees received comments on this measure from the Department of Health.

Your Committees find that testing water quality during brown water advisories ensures that the public has access to necessary information regarding the safety of the State's waters. This measure requires the continued testing of water quality of Tier 1 beaches during brown water advisories, with certain exceptions.

Your Committees have amended this measure by:

(1) Narrowing the requirements to sampling of Tier 1 beaches;

(2) Adding a condition that supplies and staff must be available for sample collection and analysis;

(3) Deleting the appropriation;

(4) Changing the effective date to July 1, 3000, to encourage further discussion; and

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

Your Committees recommend the insertion of an effective date of July 1, 2025, prior to the adoption of this measure in final form.

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Energy & Environmental Protection and Water & Land that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2322, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommend that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 2322, S.D. 1, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Health & Homelessness.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Energy & Environmental Protection and Water & Land,

____________________________ LINDA ICHIYAMA, Chair

____________________________ NICOLE E. LOWEN, Chair