Bill > SB738

This bill addresses wastewater management and the regulation of perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), which are synthetic chemicals found in many consumer and industrial products. The bill requires wastewater treatment facilities that apply sewage sludge to land to test their sludge and other residual materials for PFAS, which are defined as fluorinated substances with specific chemical characteristics. The Department of Health must develop administrative rules for the safe disposal and sequestration of sewage sludge containing PFAS. Importantly, the bill prohibits the issuance or renewal of permits for land application of sewage sludge or residual materials that test positive for PFAS in several sensitive environmental contexts, including agricultural lands, areas with drainage tiles, lands that drain into state waters, and lands within a 500-year floodplain. The bill provides a comprehensive approach to managing PFAS contamination in wastewater treatment processes, with an effective date set far in the future on December 31, 2050, which allows significant time for implementation and preparation by wastewater treatment facilities.

Budget and Finance, Health and Social Services

https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=SB&billnumber=738&year=2025