THE SENATE	S.B. NO.	2409
THIRTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2024
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

relating to an environmental toxins laboratory.

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

SECTION 1. Chapter 342J, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

"§342J-   Testing laboratory; diseases; quality of air, water, soil, and biological specimens. (a) The department shall:

(1) Establish and operate a laboratory capable of:

(A) Testing for diseases;

(B) Testing for the presence of toxins in samples of air, water, soil, and biological and other specimens; and

(C) Conducting other high complexity testing; and

(2) Ensure that the testing laboratory complies with all applicable standards enumerated in the Clinical Laboratories Improvement Amendments of 1988, title 42 United States Code section 263a.

(b) The laboratory established pursuant to subsection (a) shall receive and analyze samples submitted by any person who reasonably believes that the sample contains environmental toxins in violation of applicable law.

(c) In operating the testing laboratory, the department shall ensure prompt and full public access to the results of analyses of all submissions of testing samples submitted to the laboratory. The department shall provide complete reports of all submissions no later than ten days after receipt of the submissions."

SECTION 2. The department may obtain and expend federal funds for the construction and operation of the testing laboratory established pursuant to this Act. However, if the school is unable to obtain firm commitment from the federal government for the adequate financing of the laboratory within nine months of the effective date of this Act, the department shall proceed expeditiously to construct and begin initial operations of the laboratory using the funds appropriated by this Act.

SECTION 3. The department shall submit a report on its progress of establishing a laboratory pursuant to this Act, to the legislature no later than thirty days prior to the convening of the regular session of 2025.

SECTION 4. The director of finance is authorized to issue general obligation bonds in the sum of $           or so much thereof as may be necessary and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary is appropriated for fiscal year 2024-2025 for the purpose of financing the construction of an environmental toxins testing laboratory.

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

SECTION 5. The appropriation made for the capital improvement project authorized by this Act shall not lapse at the end of the fiscal biennium for which the appropriation is made; provided that all moneys from the appropriation unencumbered as of June 30, 2026, shall lapse as of that date.

SECTION 6. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

INTRODUCED BY:

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Report Title:

DOH; Environmental Toxins; Testing laboratory; Harmful Substances; Diseases; Natural Resources; CIP; GO Bond

Description:

Requires the Department of Health to construct, establish, and operate an environmental toxins testing laboratory to test samples submitted by the public for diseases; water, air, and soil quality; and complex testing. Allows the Director of Finance to issue general obligation bonds.

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