STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1864-24

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2024

RE: S.C.R. No. 132

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2024

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Energy & Environmental Protection, to which was referred S.C.R. No. 132 entitled:

"SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR TO CONVENE A WORKING GROUP TO PLAN FOR THE REMEDIATION OF PERFLUOROALKYL AND POLYFLUOROALKYL SUBSTANCES (PFAS) IN THE STATE,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to request the Office of the Governor to convene a working group to plan for the remediation of perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in the State.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Board of Water Supply of the City and County of Honolulu; Hawaiʻi Reef and Ocean Coalition; Environmental Caucus of the Democratic Party of Hawaiʻi; and one individual.

Your Committee finds that PFAS are commonly described as persistent organic pollutants or "forever chemicals" that remain in the environment for long periods of time. Your Committee further finds that PFAS are toxic to humans and have been linked to serious medical conditions. This measure requests the Office of the Governor to convene a working group to plan for the remediation of PFAS in the State.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Energy & Environmental Protection that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of S.C.R. No. 132 and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Energy & Environmental Protection,

____________________________

NICOLE E. LOWEN, Chair