HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.B. NO.	180
THIRTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2023
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

RELATING TO CESSPOOLS.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that Hawaii has more than eighty thousand cesspools. These cesspools discharge approximately fifty million gallons of wastewater into the State's groundwater each day, causing harm to the health of Hawaii's people and the quality of Hawaii's waters.

The legislature further finds that the cesspool conversion working group recently issued recommendations to facilitate the statewide conversion of all cesspools. The implementation of these recommendations will require a significant effort and a commitment of additional personnel resources. This investment will also help to ensure that the State complies with the mandate of Act 125, Session Laws of Hawaii 2017, to upgrade, convert, or connect all cesspools in the State by 2050.

Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to:

(1) Create a new cesspool conversion section within the department of health's wastewater branch that is dedicated to facilitating the conversion of cesspools within the State; and

(2) Establish and appropriate moneys for two new full-time equivalent permanent positions within the new cesspool conversion section in fiscal year 2023-2024, and two additional full-time equivalent positions in fiscal year 2024-2025.

SECTION 2. Chapter 342D, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to part IV to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

"§342D- Wastewater branch; cesspool conversion section. There is established a cesspool conversion section within the wastewater branch of the department, which shall:

(1) Manage and facilitate various state financing options for the conversion of cesspools in the State;

(2) Develop and manage public outreach and education regarding the conversion of cesspools;

(3) Inform cesspool owners of available options and assistance for compliant conversions of cesspools;

(4) Manage any federal, state, or other available grants to assist with the conversion of cesspools;

(5) Secure available federal funding that may be used to assist in the conversion of cesspools; and

(6) Facilitate partnerships with counties, non-governmental organizations, and the private sector relating to the department's responsibilities under this section."

SECTION 3. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $ or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2023-2024 and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2024-2025 to establish two full-time equivalent (2.0 FTE) permanent positions within the cesspool conversion section.

The sums appropriated shall be expended by the department of health for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 4. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $ or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2024-2025 to establish two full-time equivalent (2.0 FTE) permanent positions within the cesspool conversion section.

The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of health for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 5. New statutory material is underscored.

SECTION 6. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2023.

INTRODUCED BY:

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Report Title:

DOH; Wastewater Branch; Cesspool Conversion; Appropriations

Description:

Creates within the Department of Health's wastewater branch a cesspool conversion section, which will be responsible for facilitating the conversion of cesspools within the State. Establishes 2.0 full-time equivalent positions within the cesspool conversion section in fiscal year 2023-2024, and 2.0 additional full-time equivalent positions within the section in fiscal year 2024-2025. Appropriates moneys.

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.