summary
Introduced
01/28/2026
01/28/2026
In Committee
02/02/2026
02/02/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
2026 Regular Session
Bill Summary
Authorizes geological subsurface characterization activities conducted by a public research institution under certain conditions. Clarifies that boreholes or test holes drilled for the purposes of geological subsurface characterization are distinct from water well exploration and geothermal or mineral exploration. Requires the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism, to designate the Hawaii Groundwater and Geothermal Resources Center of the University of Hawaii, or a successor entity, as the repository for data collected from any geological subsurface characterization activity. Requires the Department of Land and Natural Resources to amend its exemption list to specify that certain geological subsurface characterization activities shall be exempt from the environmental review process or shall only require an exemption notice. Requires the University of Hawaii to amend its exemption list to specify that certain geological subsurface characterization activities shall be exempt from the environmental review process or shall only require an exemption notice. Requires the Department of Health to amend its rules related to hazardous waste and hazardous waste management for consistency with federal regulations to specify that certain waste products generated by geological subsurface characterization activity are exempt from hazardous waste management requirements.
AI Summary
This bill authorizes geological subsurface characterization activities, which are temporary, non-commercial scientific investigations of underground conditions conducted by public research institutions, by clarifying that these activities, including drilling boreholes or test holes, are distinct from water well exploration, geothermal exploration, or mineral exploration. It mandates that the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism designate the Hawaii Groundwater and Geothermal Resources Center of the University of Hawaii, or a successor, as the official repository for all data collected from these scientific investigations, which will aid in public planning for resources and hazards. Furthermore, the bill requires the Department of Land and Natural Resources and the University of Hawaii to update their lists of exemptions from the environmental review process to specify that certain geological subsurface characterization activities will either be exempt entirely or only require an exemption notice, streamlining the process for scientific data collection. Finally, it directs the Department of Health to align its rules on hazardous waste management with federal regulations, specifically exempting certain waste products generated by these scientific activities from hazardous waste management requirements, recognizing their non-commercial and temporary nature.
Committee Categories
Business and Industry
Sponsors (1)
Last Action
Referred to EDT/WLA/EDU, WAM/JDC. (on 02/02/2026)
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=SB&billnumber=3223&year=2026 |
| BillText | https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessions/session2026/bills/SB3223_.HTM |
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