Bill > HB736

This bill establishes a three-year pilot program within the University of Hawaii Water Resources Research Center to test and evaluate new wastewater system technologies as a solution to Hawaii's significant cesspool pollution problem. The state currently has over 80,000 cesspools discharging approximately 50 million gallons of wastewater daily, which damages public health, pollutes water resources, and threatens coral reefs. The pilot program will involve testing new wastewater technologies to assess their affordability, feasibility, and efficiency, with the goal of finding more cost-effective alternatives to traditional wastewater systems that can cost over $25,000 per installation. The University of Hawaii will coordinate with various state agencies and research partners to conduct the testing, and is required to submit annual interim reports and a final report to the Legislature by 2028, including recommendations about the program's continuation. The bill appropriates $745,325 in state general revenues for fiscal year 2025-2026 to fund the pilot program, which is set to run until June 30, 2028, with the aim of helping the Department of Health certify new wastewater technologies that can more affordably help Hawaii meet its goal of upgrading or converting all cesspools to approved wastewater systems.

Agriculture and Natural Resources, Budget and Finance, Education

https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=HB&billnumber=736&year=2025