Bill Text: HI HB1858 | 2020 | Regular Session | Introduced


Bill Title: Relating To Cesspools.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 26-1)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2020-02-11 - The committee(s) on EEP/HLT recommend(s) that the measure be deferred. [HB1858 Detail]

Download: Hawaii-2020-HB1858-Introduced.html

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

1858

THIRTIETH LEGISLATURE, 2020

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

relating to cesspools.

 

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

 


PART I

     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that public health and the quality of Hawaii's drinking water, streams, ground waters, nearshore marine areas, and ocean are being harmed by water pollution from cesspools.  Drinking water, public recreation, and the State's precious coral reefs, on which Hawaii's economy, shoreline, recreation, fisheries, and native species depend, are or may be harmed by such pollution.

     The purpose of this part is to commission a comprehensive statewide outreach program by the University of Hawaii sea grant college program that provides science-based information and understanding of sewage contamination sources in nearshore marine areas; increases understanding of sewage capacity needs; and informs all stakeholders, including the department of health, of appropriate solutions that support converting all cesspools in the State by 2050.

     SECTION 2.  (a)  The University of Hawaii sea grant college program, in cooperation and consultation with the department of health, shall develop and conduct a two-year comprehensive statewide outreach program that provides science-based information and understanding of sewage contamination sources in nearshore marine areas; increases understanding of sewage capacity needs; and informs all stakeholders, including the department of health, of appropriate solutions that support converting all cesspools by 2050.

     (b)  The comprehensive statewide outreach program shall have the following objectives:

     (1)  Develop a plan for conducting a two-year, statewide, systematic outreach plan focused on providing education and communication about sewage contamination and the need for statewide conversion of cesspools to protect the coastal and nearshore environment; and

     (2)  Conduct a stakeholder needs assessment to identify physical, practical, and financial impediments that may be encountered by land owners who are required to connect pre-existing cesspools to a sewer system or convert cesspools to an individual waste treatment system and recommend solutions to inform the cesspool conversion working group and its finance, technology, and research subgroups about the gaps and sewage capacity needs for the conversion of all cesspools by 2050.

     (c)  The University of Hawaii sea grant college program shall submit a report of its findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, to the cesspool conversion working group established pursuant to Act 132, Session Laws of Hawaii 2018, and the legislature by October 1 of every year, with a final report due no later than October 1, 2022.

     SECTION 3.  There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $500,000 or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2020-2021 for the University of Hawaii sea grant college program, in cooperation and consultation with the department of health, to carry out the purposes of this part.

     The sum appropriated shall be expended by the University of Hawaii for the purposes of this part.

PART II

     SECTION 4.  The University of Hawaii water resources research center shall conduct research on wastewater system technologies to determine the most cost-effective way to upgrade cesspools in the State and reduce the impact of cesspools on drinking water and groundwater.

     The University of Hawaii water resources research center shall submit a report of its findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, to the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular session of 2021.

     SECTION 5.  There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $500,000 or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2020-2021 for the University of Hawaii water resources research center to conduct research on wastewater system technologies to determine the most cost-effective way to upgrade cesspools in the State and reduce the impact of cesspools on drinking water and groundwater.

     The sum appropriated shall be expended by the University of Hawaii for the purposes of this part.

PART III

     SECTION 6.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2020.

 

INTRODUCED BY:

_____________________________

 

 


 


 

Report Title:

University of Hawaii; Cesspools; Outreach Program; Research; Wastewater Systems; Appropriation

 

Description:

Requires the Sea Grant College Program, with the Department of Health, to develop and conduct a two-year comprehensive statewide outreach program that provides science-based information and understanding of sewage contamination sources in nearshore marine areas; increases understanding of sewage capacity needs; and informs all stakeholders of appropriate solutions for cesspool conversion.  Requires the Water Resources Research Center to research wastewater system technologies to determine the most cost-effective way to upgrade cesspools in Hawaii and reduce their impact on drinking water and groundwater.  Appropriates funds.

 

 

 

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.

feedback