Hawaii House Bill HR128

Hawaii 2023 Regular Session

• Introduced: 3/10/23
• Refer: 3/15/23

Caption

Requesting The United States Armed Forces To Provide Military Oversight Of All Contractors And Civilian Workers At United States Military Facilities In The State.

Impact

Given the history of accidents involving environmental hazards associated with the Red Hill facility, the resolution aims to address deficiencies in oversight that led to these incidents. The request for military oversight is intended to ensure that contractors meet strict operational standards and that accountability within the military facility's management is restored. This change seeks to prevent future spills that could further endanger public health and the environment, particularly in the nearby military housing areas.

Summary

House Resolution 128, presented in the Thirty-Second Legislature of Hawaii, requests that the United States Armed Forces implement military oversight of all contractors and civilian workers employed at US military facilities within the state. This resolution is primarily a response to several environmental incidents that occurred at the Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility, which raised concerns about the lack of oversight that contributed to significant fuel spills contaminating local water supplies.

Contention

The resolution highlights the ongoing debate regarding the responsibility and accountability of military facilities in crisis management, particularly pertaining to environmental safety and public health. There may be divergent opinions on whether additional oversight will effectively address the underlying issues, or if such oversight might lead to more bureaucratic hurdles and inefficiencies. Additionally, some stakeholders may argue about the impact of military oversight on contractor operations and how it could affect local communities and their interactions with military installations.