STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1281-24

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2024

RE: S.B. No. 2513

S.D. 2

H.D. 1

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2024

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Higher Education & Technology, to which was referred S.B. No. 2513, S.D. 2, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO WASTEWATER SYSTEMS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to:

(1) Establish and appropriate funds to implement a three-year New Wastewater System And Individual Wastewater System Technology Demonstration and Implementation Pilot Program within the University of Hawaii Water Resources Research Center to review, examine, and demonstrate new wastewater technology systems; implement those technologies in wastewater system demonstration projects; and establish prioritization categories similar to those established in the Hawaii Cesspool Hazard Assessment And Prioritization Tool for the islands of Molokai, Lanai, and Niihau; and

(2) Appropriate funds for positions within the Department of Health's Wastewater Branch.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Hawaiʻi Reef and Ocean Coalition and WAI: Wastewater Alternatives & Innovations. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Health and Department of Land and Natural Resources.

Your Committee finds that the demonstration and implementation pilot program in this measure is essential to determine the best, most affordable wastewater technologies to minimize the cost of cesspool upgrades while maximizing environmental protection.

Your Committee respectfully requests your Committee on Finance, should it choose to deliberate on this measure, to consider appropriating:

(1) $89,500 for fiscal year 2024-2025 to establish one full-time equivalent (1.0 FTE) Engineer V (SR-26) position within the Department of Health's Wastewater Branch; and

(2) $82,700 for fiscal year 2024-2025 to establish one full-time equivalent (1.0 FTE) Engineer IV (SR-24) position within the Department of Health's Wastewater Branch,

as requested by the Department of Health in its testimony.

Your Committee also urges the University of Hawaii Water Resources Research Center and Department of Health to work with the University of Hawaii Sea Grant College Program in conducting the pilot program.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Higher Education & Technology that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2513, S.D. 2, H.D. 1, and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Finance.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Higher Education & Technology,

____________________________

AMY A. PERRUSO, Chair