STAND. COM. REP. NO. 878-26

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2026

RE: H.B. No. 1985

H.D. 1

Honorable Nadine K. Nakamura

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2026

State of Hawaii

Madame:

Your Committee on Finance, to which was referred H.B. No. 1985, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO CESSPOOLS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to:

(1) Allow certain extensions of the deadline for cesspool upgrade, conversion, or connection;

(2) Establish a goal for the Department of Health to prioritize the upgrade, conversion, or connection of cesspools that pose the highest risk to human health or the environment; and

(3) Authorize and appropriate funds to the Department of Health to retain qualified consultants to identify necessary public outreach and education resources and tools and develop a comprehensive public outreach strategy and website to educate property owners and wastewater industry professionals about information and resources regarding the State's cesspool upgrade, conversion, and connection requirements and deadlines.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Health; Office of Planning and Sustainable Development; Hawaiʻi Association of REALTORS; Hawaiʻi Reef and Ocean Coalition; and one individual. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Land and Natural Resources and Office of Hawaiian Affairs.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Finance that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1985, H.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Finance,

____________________________

CHRIS TODD, Chair