SB 958: RELATING TO CESSPOOLS.

A BILL FOR AN ACT

RELATING TO CESSPOOLS.

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

     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that failing cesspools are contaminating the State's groundwater, streams, and coastal ecosystems.  To address this, the legislature has required all cesspools to be upgraded or converted to a wastewater system approved by the director of health or connected to a sewerage system by 2050.

     The legislature has recognized that the requirement to upgrade or convert a cesspool imposes a financial burden on low‑ and moderate-income families.  In Act 153, Session Laws of Hawaii 2022 (Act 153), the legislature established in the department of health the cesspool compliance pilot grant project to assist with conversion costs for low- and moderate-income property owners, including lessees on Hawaiian home lands, located in an area identified as priority level 1 or 2 by the Hawaii cesspool prioritization tool.  However, the appropriation under Act 153 lapsed as of June 30, 2024.

     Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to appropriate funds for the cesspool compliance pilot grant project.

     SECTION 2.  There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $5,000,000 or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2025-2026 and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2026-2027 to fund the cesspool compliance pilot grant project, including the establishment of three full-time equivalent (3.0 FTE) positions; provided that the appropriation may be used to contract for services to administer the program.

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

     SECTION 3.  This Act shall take effect on December 31, 2050.

Report Title:

DOH Cesspool Compliance Pilot Grant Project; Positions; Appropriations

Description:

Appropriates funds to the Department of Health for the Cesspool Compliance Pilot Grant Project.  Establishes three full-time equivalent (3.0 FTE) positions.  Effective 12/31/2050.  (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 cesspools.

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

     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that failing cesspools are contaminating the State's groundwater, streams, and coastal ecosystems.  To address this, the legislature has required all cesspools to be upgraded or converted to a wastewater system approved by the director of health or connected to a sewerage system by 2050.

     The legislature has recognized that the requirement to upgrade or convert a cesspool imposes a financial burden on low- and moderate-income families.  In Act 153, Session Laws of Hawaii 2022 (Act 153), the legislature established in the department of health the cesspool compliance pilot grant project to assist with conversion costs for low- and moderate-income property owners, including lessees on Hawaiian home lands, located in an area identified as priority level 1 or 2 by the Hawaii cesspool prioritization tool.  However, the appropriation under Act 153 lapsed as of June 30, 2024.

     Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to appropriate funds for the cesspool compliance pilot grant project.

     SECTION 2.  There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $5,000,000 or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2025-2026 and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2026-2027 to fund the cesspool compliance pilot grant project; provided that the appropriation may be used to contract for services to administer the program.

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

     SECTION 3.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2025.

Report Title:

Cesspool Compliance Pilot Grant Project; Appropriation

Description:

Appropriates funds for the cesspool compliance pilot grant project.

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. 608

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.B. No. 958

       S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committees on Health and Human Services and Agriculture and Environment, to which was referred S.B. No. 958 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO CESSPOOLS,"

beg leave to report as follows:

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to appropriate funds for the Cesspool Compliance Pilot Grant Project.

     Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands, Hawaiʻi Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Commission, Hawaii Reef and Ocean Coalition, Hawaiʻi Association of REALTORS, WAI:  Wastewater Alternatives & Innovations, and three individuals.

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

     Your Committees find that every cesspool in the State must be upgraded, converted, or connected to a sewerage system by January 1, 2050, with certain exceptions.  Your Committees also find that the requirement to upgrade or convert a cesspool imposes a financial burden on low- and moderate-income families.  Your Committees further find that the Legislature passed Act 153, Session Laws of Hawaii 2022, to establish in the Department of Health the Cesspool Compliance Pilot Grant Project to assist with conversion costs for low- and moderate-income property owners, including lessees on Hawaiian home lands, located in an area identified as priority level 1 or 2 by the Hawaii cesspool prioritization tool.  However, the appropriation made under Act 153 lapsed as of June 30, 2024.  This measure re-appropriates funds for the Cesspool Compliance Pilot Grant Project and alleviates the financial challenges many homeowners will face when converting cesspools.

     Your Committees note the testimony of the Department of Health stating that it will require two full-time equivalent (2.0 FTE) permanent Engineer III positions and one full-time equivalent (1.0 FTE) permanent Accountant IV position to implement the Cesspool Compliance Pilot Grant Project.  Furthermore, should your Committee on Ways and Means choose to deliberate on this measure, your Committees respectfully request that it consider inserting an appropriation amount of $5,000,000 to fund the Cesspool Compliance Pilot Grant Project.

     Your Committees have amended this measure by:

     (1)  Inserting language requiring the appropriation to include funding for the establishment of three full-time equivalent (3.0 FTE) positions for the Cesspool Compliance Pilot Grant Project; and

     (2)  Inserting an effective date of December 31, 2050, to encourage further discussion.

     As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Health and Human Services and Agriculture and Environment that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 958, as amended herein, and recommend that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 958, S.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

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