| 47 | | - | SECTION 1. The legislature finds that the health of Hawaii's people and quality of Hawaii's waters are being harmed by pollution from cesspools. Hawaii has more than eighty thousand cesspools that discharge about fifty million gallons of wastewater into the State's groundwater every day. Cesspools are antiquated, substandard systems that damage public health; pollute drinking water; and lower water quality in streams, ground waters, nearshore marine areas, and the ocean. Cesspool pollution also harms public recreation and the precious coral reefs on which Hawaii's economy, shoreline, fisheries, and native species depend. The United States Geological Survey has estimated that coral reefs in Hawaii provide flood protection benefits to 6,800 people and $836,000,000 annually in averted damages to property and economic activity. To protect public health, property, and the environment including coral reefs, cesspools should be replaced by connecting homes to sewerage systems or, in areas that are too remote to be feasibly connected, upgraded either with individual on-site wastewater disposal systems or cluster wastewater treatment systems. The legislature recognizes that maintaining the cleanliness of the State's waters is a matter of statewide concern that falls under the legislature's obligation to enact laws pursuant to article XI, section 7, of the Hawaii State Constitution. The legislature further finds that the department of health needs additional personnel to facilitate compliance with the mandate of section 342D-72, Hawaii Revised Statutes, and to administer thousands of cesspool upgrades in the coming years. Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to: (1) Establish a new cesspool conversion section within the department of health's wastewater branch that is dedicated to facilitating the conversion of cesspools within the State; and (2) Establish and appropriate funds for new positions within the new cesspool conversion section. SECTION 2. Chapter 342D, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to part IV to be appropriately designated and to read as follows: "§342D- Wastewater branch; cesspool conversion section. (a) There is established a cesspool conversion section within the wastewater branch of the department, which shall: (1) Manage and facilitate various state financing options for the conversion of cesspools in the State; (2) Develop and manage public outreach and education regarding the conversion of cesspools; (3) Inform cesspool owners of available options and assistance for compliant conversions of cesspools; (4) Manage any federal, state, or other available grants to assist with the conversion of cesspools; (5) Secure available federal funding that may be used to assist in the conversion of cesspools; and (6) Facilitate partnerships with counties, nongovernmental organizations, and the private sector relating to the department's responsibilities under this section. (b) For the purposes of this section, "conversion of cesspools" means the connection of a cesspool to a sewerage system or upgrade or conversion of a cesspool to a director-approved wastewater system." SECTION 3. 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 2025-2026 and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2026-2027 to establish three full-time equivalent (3.0 FTE) permanent positions within the cesspool conversion section established pursuant to section 342D- , Hawaii Revised Statutes. The sums appropriated shall be expended by the department of health for the purposes of this Act. SECTION 4. New statutory material is underscored. SECTION 5. This Act shall take effect on December 31, 2050; provided that section 3 shall take effect on July 1, 2025. |
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| 47 | + | SECTION 1. The legislature finds that the health of Hawaii's people and quality of Hawaii's waters are being harmed by pollution from cesspools. Hawaii has more than eighty thousand cesspools that discharge about fifty million gallons of wastewater into the State's groundwater every day. Cesspools are antiquated, substandard systems that damage public health; pollute drinking water; and lower water quality in streams, ground waters, nearshore marine areas, and the ocean. Cesspool pollution also harms public recreation and the precious coral reefs on which Hawaii's economy, shoreline, fisheries, and native species depend. The United States Geological Survey has estimated that coral reefs in Hawaii provide flood protection benefits to 6,800 people and $836,000,000 annually in averted damages to property and economic activity. To protect public health, property, and the environment including coral reefs, cesspools should be replaced by connecting homes to sewerage systems or, in areas that are too remote to be feasibly connected, upgraded either with individual on-site wastewater disposal systems or cluster wastewater treatment systems. The legislature recognizes that maintaining the cleanliness of the State's waters is a matter of statewide concern that falls under the legislature's obligation to enact laws pursuant to article XI, section 7, of the Hawaii State Constitution. The legislature further finds that the department of health needs additional personnel to facilitate compliance with the mandate of section 342D-72, Hawaii Revised Statutes, and to administer thousands of cesspool upgrades in the coming years. Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to: (1) Create a new cesspool conversion section within the department of health's wastewater branch that is dedicated to facilitating the conversion of cesspools within the State; and (2) Establish and appropriate moneys for new positions within the new cesspool conversion section. SECTION 2. Chapter 342D, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to part IV to be appropriately designated and to read as follows: "§342D- Wastewater branch; cesspool conversion section. (a) There is established a cesspool conversion section within the wastewater branch of the department, which shall: (1) Manage and facilitate various state financing options for the conversion of cesspools in the State; (2) Develop and manage public outreach and education regarding the conversion of cesspools; (3) Inform cesspool owners of available options and assistance for compliant conversions of cesspools; (4) Manage any federal, state, or other available grants to assist with the conversion of cesspools; (5) Secure available federal funding that may be used to assist in the conversion of cesspools; and (6) Facilitate partnerships with counties, nongovernmental organizations, and the private sector relating to the department's responsibilities under this section. (b) For the purposes of this section, "conversion of cesspools" means the connection of a cesspool to a sewerage system or upgrade or conversion of a cesspool to a director-approved wastewater system." SECTION 3. 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 2025-2026 and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2026-2027 to establish three full-time equivalent (3.0 FTE) permanent positions within the cesspool conversion section established pursuant to section 342D- , Hawaii Revised Statutes. The sums appropriated shall be expended by the department of health for the purposes of this Act. SECTION 4. New statutory material is underscored. SECTION 5. This Act shall take effect upon its approval; provided that section 3 shall take effect on July 1, 2025. INTRODUCED BY: _____________________________ |
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