SB 2093: Fuel Tank Advisory Committee; Regular Meetings; Frequency; Appropriation

A BILL FOR AN ACT

RELATING TO THE FUEL TANK ADVISORY COMMITTEE.

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

     SECTION 1.  Section 342L-62, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by amending subsection (a) to read as follows:

     "(a)  The advisory committee shall hold at least one regular meeting during each calendar quarter; provided that one meeting each year shall be convened outside of normal business hours.  The advisory committee shall study issues related to leaks of field‑constructed underground fuel storage tanks at the Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility, Kuahua Peninsula, Pacific Missile Range Facility Barking Sands, Hickam Pol Annex, and Schofield Barracks Military Reservation.  The advisory committee shall consider:

     (1)  The short- and long-term effects of leaks of the fuel tanks, including effects relating to the health of residents, safe drinking water, and the environment;

     (2)  Response strategies to mitigate the effects of leaks from fuel tanks;

     (3)  Methods to improve communication between the United States Navy, Air Force, and Army; the State; any local board of water supply; and the public in the event of a leak of any fuel tank;

     (4)  Groundwater test results in relation to the surrounding areas of fuel tank facilities, with a particular emphasis on the groundwater near the Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility;

     (5)  The implications of shutting down any fuel tank facility; and

     (6)  Updates on progress toward meeting goals of agreement between the State, the affected county, and the federal government."

     SECTION 2.  There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $           or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2026-2027 for the fuel tank advisory committee to hold additional regular meetings, including contracting with a third-party administrator to provide support.

     The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of health for the purposes of this Act.

     SECTION 3.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 4.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2050.

Report Title:

Fuel Tank Advisory Committee; Regular Meetings; Frequency; Appropriation

Description:

Requires the Fuel Tank Advisory Committee to hold at least one regular meeting during each calendar quarter.  Requires the Advisory Committee to hold one regular meeting each year that convenes outside of normal business hours.  Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/2050.  (SD1)

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

A BILL FOR AN ACT

RELATING TO THE FUEL TANK ADVISORY COMMITTEE.

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

     SECTION 1.  Section 342L-62, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by amending subsection (a) to read as follows:

     "(a)  The advisory committee shall hold at least one regular meeting during each calendar quarter.  The advisory committee shall study issues related to leaks of field‑constructed underground fuel storage tanks at the Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility, Kuahua Peninsula, Pacific Missile Range Facility Barking Sands, Hickam Pol Annex, and Schofield Barracks Military Reservation.  The advisory committee shall consider:

     (1)  The short- and long-term effects of leaks of the fuel tanks, including effects relating to the health of residents, safe drinking water, and the environment;

     (2)  Response strategies to mitigate the effects of leaks from fuel tanks;

     (3)  Methods to improve communication between the United States Navy, Air Force, and Army; the State; any local board of water supply; and the public in the event of a leak of any fuel tank;

     (4)  Groundwater test results in relation to the surrounding areas of fuel tank facilities, with a particular emphasis on the groundwater near the Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility;

     (5)  The implications of shutting down any fuel tank facility; and

     (6)  Updates on progress toward meeting goals of agreement between the State, the affected county, and the federal government."

     SECTION 2.  There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $           or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2026-2027 for the fuel tank advisory committee to hold additional regular meetings, including contracting with a third-party administrator to provide support.

     The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of health for the purposes of this Act.

     SECTION 3.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 4.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2026.

Report Title:

Fuel Tank Advisory Committee; Regular Meetings; Frequency; Appropriation

Description:

Requires the Fuel Tank Advisory Committee to hold at least one regular meeting during each calendar quarter.  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.

STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2180

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:     S.B. No. 2093

        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. 2093 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE FUEL TANK ADVISORY COMMITTEE,"

beg leave to report as follows:

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to:

     (1)  Require the Fuel Tank Advisory Committee to hold at least one regular meeting during each calendar quarter; and

     (2)  Appropriate funds.

     Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from the Honolulu Board of Water Supply, Sierra Club of Hawaiʻi, Environmental Caucus of the Democratic Party of Hawaiʻi, ʻAhahui O Hawaiʻi, Free Access Coalition, Malama Makua, ʻAhahui o nā Kauka, Kupuna for the Moopuna, Association of Hawaiian Civic Clubs, Ke One O Kākuhihewa Oʻahu Council of the Association of Hawaiian Civic Clubs, Red Hill Community Representation Initiative, and fifty-six individuals.

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

     Your Committees find that the establishment of the Fuel Tank Advisory Committee was a direct result of the water and environmental contamination caused by leaks of the United States Department of the Navy's Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility fuel tanks.  Efforts to monitor and remediate fuel leaking from Red Hill were deemed by the Legislature as essential to protect Oahu's drinking water supply.  The Fuel Tank Advisory Committee is, therefore, required to, among other things, study issues related to the leaks, consider response strategies, and improve communication.  This measure would require the Fuel Tank Advisory Committee to hold at least one meeting each calendar quarter to further facilitate the multi-jurisdictional coordination and enable the Advisory Committee to more quickly take action necessary to address the ongoing and evolving ecological threats of the Red Hill fuel tanks.

     Your Committees have amended this measure by:

     (1)  Specifying that one of the four meetings held by the Fuel Tank Advisory Committee each year shall be convened outside of normal business hours to encourage greater public engagement; and

     (2)  Inserting an effective date of July 1, 2050, to encourage further discussion.

     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. 2093, as amended herein, and recommend that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 2093, 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,