Bill > SR84

This bill requests the Governor of Hawaii to establish a temporary working group to investigate per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), a group of man-made chemicals widely used in consumer products and industrial processes that are known to persist in the environment and accumulate in human bodies. The working group would include representatives from the Departments of Health, Land and Natural Resources, Agriculture, and the University of Hawaii System, along with other relevant stakeholders. The group's primary objectives would be to identify PFAS contamination sites in Hawaii, conduct comprehensive testing in waterways and of fish and animals, assess environmental and public health risks, review existing regulations, and propose strategies for testing, monitoring, and preventing PFAS contamination. The bill recognizes that PFAS exposure has been linked to serious health risks such as cancer, liver damage, and immune system issues, and that Hawaii's geographic isolation and limited water resources make understanding these risks particularly crucial. The working group would be required to submit interim reports to the Legislature in 2026 and 2027, with a final report due before the 2028 legislative session, detailing their findings, recommendations, proposed legislation, and potential funding sources.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=SR&billnumber=84&year=2025