STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2789

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 2513

S.D. 2

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2024

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred S.B. No. 2513, S.D. 1, entitled:

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

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to implement new wastewater technologies and solutions in certain areas of the State.

More specifically, this measure:

(1) Establishes within the University of Hawaii Water Resources Research Center a new waste management solution and cesspool system demonstration pilot program; and

(2) Appropriates moneys for the pilot program and the establishment of engineer positions within the Wastewater Branch of the Department of Health.

Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands, Department of Land and Natural Resources, University of Hawaii, and Hawaii Reef and Ocean Coalition.

Your Committee received written comments on this measure from the Department of Health.

Your Committee finds that establishing a new waste management solution and cesspool system demonstration pilot program to analyze new wastewater technology systems will help to provide affected property owners with cost-effective wastewater technology alternatives.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Placing the pilot program within the University of Hawaii Sea Grant College Program rather than the University of Hawaii Water Resources Research Center;

(2) Requiring the University of Hawaii Sea Grant College Program to collaborate with the University of Hawaii Water Resources Research Center in implementing the pilot program;

(3) Requiring the University of Hawaii Sea Grant Program, rather than the University of Hawaii Water Resources Research Center, to submit reports to the Legislature;

(4) Clarifying the University of Hawaii Sea Grant Program's reporting requirements;

(5) Changing one of the expending agencies from the University of Hawaii Water Resources Research Center to the University of Hawaii Sea Grant Program;

(6) Changing the appropriations from $3,025,468; $89,500; and $82,700, respectively, to unspecified amounts;

(7) Changing the effective date to July 1, 2050, to facilitate further discussion on the measure; and

(8) Making technical nonsubstantive changes for purposes of clarity, consistency, and style.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Ways and Means that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2513, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 2513, S.D. 2.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Ways and Means,

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DONOVAN M. DELA CRUZ, Chair