Bill > SB472

This bill addresses the environmental and public health challenges posed by cesspools in Hawaii by implementing several key provisions. The legislation mandates that priority level 1 cesspools (13,821 in total) must be upgraded, converted, or connected to a sewerage system by January 1, 2035, with a special exception for cesspools in Kokee and Waimea Canyon state parks, which have until January 1, 2040. Similarly, priority level 2 cesspools (12,367 in total) must be upgraded or connected by January 1, 2040. The bill allows the director of health to grant exemptions for property owners who can demonstrate legitimate reasons for infeasibility, such as small lot size, steep topography, poor soils, or accessibility issues, and provides for potential five-year extensions based on financial hardship. Additionally, the bill establishes a new income tax credit for cesspool upgrades, offering taxpayers up to $10,000 for qualified expenses, with a provision for residential large capacity cesspools to receive up to $10,000 per connected dwelling. The legislation also appropriates funds to support a cesspool compliance pilot grant program and ensures that no penalties for non-compliance can result in property liens or seizures, demonstrating a balanced approach to addressing the significant environmental challenges posed by Hawaii's approximately 80,000 cesspools that currently discharge around 50 million gallons of wastewater into the state's groundwater daily.

Health and Social Services

https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=SB&billnumber=472&year=2026