STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2179

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 2095

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2026

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committees on Agriculture and Environment and Health and Human Services, to which was referred S.B. No. 2095 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION,"

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to:

(1) Establish a PFAS Working Group within the Department of Health to investigate the existence and environmental dangers of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances and other related chemicals; and

(2) Require reports to the Legislature.

Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from the Honolulu Board of Water Supply, Environmental Caucus of the Democratic Party of Hawaiʻi, Hawaiʻi Food+ Policy, Hawaiʻi Reef and Ocean Coalition, and one individual.

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

Your Committees finds that per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a group of man-made chemicals widely used in consumer products, industrial processes, and firefighting foams that are known to cause long-term damage to both humans and the environment. As PFAS are persistent toxic substances that have been found to contaminate drinking water, bioaccumulate in fish and wildlife, have adverse health effects on humans, and do not break down in the environment, all mitigation measures should be taken to decrease the existence of PFAS in the State. Therefore, this measure will establish a working group to conduct critical testing and prevention proposals regarding PFAS.

Your Committees note that the Department of Health has proactively established an internal PFAS-focused working group comprised of staff with critical subject matters essential to PFAS research. This internal PFAS Working Group has conducted multiple studies that have focused on wastewater treatment facilities, biosolids, landfills, firefighting training sites, and ambient PFAS levels in the environment. While multiple findings have been published, there is additionally an ongoing study to assess potential plant uptake of PFAS containing compost made from certain recycled water and compostable service ware. This measure would continue these efforts on a permanent and ongoing basis while adding additional stakeholders to collaborate and provide more comprehensive studies and data related to PFAS. Your Committees further find that, in recognition of the Department of Health's ongoing efforts, amendments to this measure are needed to support and continue the Department's PFAS research and mitigation efforts to avoid unnecessary redundancies.

Accordingly, your Committees have amended this measure by:

(1) Inserting language to include a representative of the Honolulu Board of Water Supply as a member of the PFAS Working Group;

(2) Clarifying the activities of the PFAS Working Group to:

(A) Assess ongoing work in the Department of Health to assess PFAS contamination and provide recommendations on additional locations appropriate for PFAS testing and assessment;

(B) Study sources of potential PFAS contamination in the State;

(C) Examine best practices on PFAS testing, management, and mitigation from other jurisdictions and provide recommendations on how to apply best practices in the State; and

(D) Evaluate the environmental and public health risks associated with PFAS exposure, particularly in sensitive ecosystems and vulnerable communities;

(3) Inserting an effective date of July 1, 2050, to encourage further discussion; and

(4) 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 Agriculture and Environment and Health and Human Services that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2095, as amended herein, and recommend that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 2095, S.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

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

________________________________ JOY A. SAN BUENAVENTURA, Chair

________________________________ MIKE GABBARD, Chair