SB 2415: DOH; Pilot Project; Microplastics; Drinking Water; Appropriation

A BILL FOR AN ACT

RELATING TO MICROPLASTICS.

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

     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that microplastics have been found in every ecosystem on the planet, including the Antarctic tundra, the peak of Mount Everest, the depths of the Mariana Trench, and tropical coral reefs.  Microplastics have also been found in food, beverages, and animal tissue.  The unintentional ingestion and inhalation of microplastics is on the rise globally.

     The legislature further finds that microplastic pollution poses a significant threat to Hawaii and its residents.  According to a 2024 study at the university of Hawaii, the waters and beaches of Hawaii are among the environments most polluted by microplastics.  A study at Harvard's T. H. Chan school of public health found that all placentas tested from Hawaii contained detectable levels of microplastics.  Based on the significance of the potential threat, a professor at the university of Hawaii's John A. Burns school of medicine recently announced a new microplastics research project, stating "Microplastics have been found in the blood and lungs of healthy humans, highlighting an urgent need to understand their impact on our health, particularly our ability to breathe."

     The legislature recognizes that certified laboratory tests for microplastics costs between $1,000 and $2,000 per test.

     Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to increase awareness of microplastics in Hawaii's water by requiring and providing funding for the department of health to establish a one-year pilot project to test drinking water for microplastics at four Oahu elementary schools and to make the results publicly available.

     SECTION 2.  (a)  The department of health shall establish a pilot project to test drinking water for the presence of microplastics at the following public schools:

     (1)  Iliahi elementary school;

     (2)  Wahiawa elementary school;

     (3)  Kaala elementary school; and

     (4)  Helemano elementary school;

provided that the department shall test the drinking water at each public school at least once.

     (b)  The test samples collected pursuant to subsection (a) shall be analyzed by a certified testing laboratory using accredited methods.

     (c)  The department shall post all test results on its website no later than December 31, 2026.

     (d)  The pilot project shall be dissolved on            .

     (e)  As used in this Act, "microplastics" means plastic fragments smaller than five millimeters.

     SECTION 3.  There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $25,000 or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2026-2027 for the pilot project established by this Act.

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

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

Report Title:

DOH; Pilot Project; Microplastics; Drinking Water; Appropriation

Description:

Requires the Department of Health to establish a pilot project to test the drinking water at 4 public elementary schools for microplastics and to post the results on its website by 12/31/2026.  Dissolves the pilot project on an unspecified date.  Appropriates moneys.

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