STAND. COM. REP. NO. 669

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 428

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2023

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred S.B. No. 428 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO CESSPOOLS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to facilitate the attainment of the State's goal to upgrade or convert all cesspools in the State by 2050.

Specifically, this measure requires each county to:

(1) Develop a comprehensive integrated wastewater management plan and financial strategy specific to the county; and

(2) Submit the plan and financial strategy to the Legislature prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2024.

Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the Department of Health, Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Commission, Department of Environmental Management of the County of Hawaii, Environmental Caucus of the Democratic Party of Hawai`i, Hawai`i REALTORS, Ulupono Initiative, and three individuals.

Your Committee received written comments in opposition to this measure from one individual.

Your Committee finds that many cesspools in rural areas, particularly on the neighbor islands, may not be located where existing county infrastructure will allow for easy conversion and connection to a sewer system. Accordingly, your Committee finds that identifying required infrastructure improvements across all counties is a crucial step required for the eventual elimination of all cesspools in the State.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

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

(2) Making technical nonsubstantive amendments 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. 428, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 428, S.D. 1.

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

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DONOVAN M. DELA CRUZ, Chair