Bill > HB1230

This bill addresses environmental restoration requirements for underground storage tank owners and operators in Hawaii, specifically focusing on jet fuel contamination. The legislation amends existing law to establish more stringent cleanup standards for jet fuel releases, requiring the complete removal of not just the fuel itself, but also all jet fuel additives and any chemical compounds resulting from the fuel's degradation or chemical reactions. The bill creates a legal presumption that any detection of jet fuel or related compounds near an underground storage tank after a confirmed release is automatically attributed to that release, which shifts the burden of proof to tank owners to demonstrate otherwise. The legislative findings emphasize Hawaii's commitment to protecting its pristine groundwater resources, which are considered sacred in native Hawaiian culture, and explicitly state that no level of jet fuel contamination is acceptable in the state's water systems. By mandating comprehensive cleanup and removal of all jet fuel-related substances, the bill aims to ensure full environmental restoration and protect the state's drinking water and groundwater from potential long-term contamination.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=HB&billnumber=1230&year=2026