Hawaii Senate Bill SCR176

Hawaii 2025 Regular Session

• Introduced: 3/7/25
• Refer: 3/12/25

Caption

Urging The City And County Of Honolulu To Compensate The Residents Of Any Council District That Is Chosen To Host A New Landfill.

Impact

The resolution reflects a growing recognition of the need to address local community concerns surrounding environmental management and municipal solid waste disposal. By urging compensation for affected communities, SCR176 aims to mitigate the adverse impacts associated with landfill operations, such as health risks and potential degradation of local ecosystems. The call for compensation could also lead to more equitable treatment of communities that are often burdened with hosting essential but controversial infrastructure like landfills.

Summary

SCR176 is a Senate Concurrent Resolution introduced in the Thirty-third Legislature of Hawaii that urges the City and County of Honolulu to provide compensation to residents in any council district selected to host a new landfill. The pursuit of a new landfill has raised considerable concerns among communities across Oahu, as potential sites could disrupt local environments and pose risks to vital resources like aquifers. The resolution acknowledges the financial implications for taxpayers, which could amount to tens or hundreds of millions of dollars for relocating and constructing a new facility.

Contention

While the resolution is a step towards recognizing community rights and concerns, it could face opposition based on the financial implications of such compensation. Critics may argue that the additional cost to taxpayers for compensating residents could be a burden, especially if these funds are drawn from public resources. Furthermore, the logistics of assessing compensation fairly and equitably may lead to further debates about local governance and the responsibilities of city officials in managing waste disposal and environmental impacts.