STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3570

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.C.R. No. 128

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2024

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committees on Health and Human Services and Agriculture and Environment, to which was referred S.C.R. No. 128 entitled:

"SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH TO ESTABLISH A PER- AND POLYFLUOROALKYL SUBSTANCES TESTING GRANT PROGRAM IN COLLABORATION WITH THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII,"

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to request the Department of Health to establish a Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) Testing Grant Program in collaboration with the University of Hawaii.

Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from the Environmental Caucus of the Democratic Party of Hawaiʻi, and two individuals.

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

Your Committees find that PFAS are a group of synthetic organofluorine chemical compounds that pose a range of health and environmental risks, including risks to the State's aquatic ecosystems. Your Committees further find that due to their resistance to heat, water, and oil, PFAS have been used in a wide range of products, including non-stick cookware, water repellant clothing, stain-resistant fabrics and carpets, cosmetics, and other products that resist grease, water, and oil. Most of the hundreds of PFAS currently in use have limited or no toxicity data, making it challenging for agencies like the United States Environmental Protection Agency to understand and address the risks these substances may pose to human health and the environment. This measure will assist local communities, businesses, and residents throughout the State to obtain testing services and biological sampling for PFAS detection to safeguard the State's residents from the potential health risks of PFAS.

Your Committees have amended this measure by:

(1) Inserting language to request the Department of Health to seek federal or grant funding for the establishment of the PFAS Testing Grant Program, in addition to funding from the United States Congress; and

(2) Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity and consistency.

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Health and Human Services and Agriculture and Environment that are attached to this report, your Committees concur with the intent and purpose of S.C.R. No. 128, as amended herein, and recommend its adoption in the form attached hereto as S.C.R. No. 128, S.D. 1.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Health and Human Services and Agriculture and Environment,

________________________________ MIKE GABBARD, Chair

________________________________ JOY A. SAN BUENAVENTURA, Chair