STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3792

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                  

 

RE:    H.C.R. No. 86

       S.D. 1

 

 

 

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Twenty-Ninth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2018

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committees on Water and Land and Commerce, Consumer Protection, and Health, to which was referred H.C.R. No. 86 entitled:

 

"HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION REQUESTS THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH TO CONVENE A TASK FORCE TO IDENTIFY BARRIERS AND SOLUTIONS TO EXPANDED WATER REUSE IN THE STATE,"

 

beg leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to:

 

     (1)  Request the Department of Health to convene a task force to identify barriers and solutions to expanded water reuse in the State; and

 

     (2)  Request the task force to submit a report of its findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, to the Legislature prior to the Regular Session of 2019.

 

     Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Health, Board of Water Supply of the City and County of Honolulu, Department of Environmental Management of the County of Hawaii, Oahu County Committee on Legislative Priorities of the Democratic Party of Hawaii, Ulupono Initiative, Wai Maoli:  Hawaii Fresh Water Initiative, Hawaii Community Foundation, and one individual.

 

     Your Committees find that Hawaii has been blessed with consistent rainfall, advantageous geology for aquifers, and high quality drinking water stores, but recent findings raise concerns about the long-term fresh water security for the State.  Studies have documented troubling trends, including reduced rainfall, higher evaporation rates, and declining stream flows.  Along with a projected population rise, these troubling trends generate a sense of uncertainty and urgency to safeguard the State's future water supply, and suggest that Hawaii is entering an era of fresh water uncertainty.  Increasing the amount of water reuse in the State will alleviate pressure on fresh drinking water supplies.  This measure builds upon the work of Wai Maoli:  Hawaii Fresh Water Initiative, organized by the Hawaii Community Foundation, and emphasizes that water reuse initiatives are applicable and relevant to the entire State.

 

     Your Committees have amended this measure by:

 

     (1)  Adding language that defines water reuse;

 

     (2)  Adding language to emphasize that water reuse initiatives are applicable and relevant to the entire State;

 

     (3)  Adding the Chairperson of the Board of Land and Natural Resources, a member of the Commission on Water Resource Management other than the Chairperson of the Board of Land and Natural Resources, the Chairperson of the Board of Agriculture, and a representative from a public agency with permitting or implementation authority over wastewater as members of the task force;

 

     (4)  Adding the Chairperson of the Board of Land and Natural Resources and Chairperson of the Board of Agriculture to the list of recipients who are to receive a certified copy; and

 

     (5)  Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity and consistency.

 

     As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Water and Land and Commerce, Consumer Protection, and Health that are attached to this report, your Committees concur with the intent and purpose of H.C.R. No. 86, as amended herein, and recommend its adoption in the form attached hereto as H.C.R. No. 86, S.D. 1.

 

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Water and Land and Commerce, Consumer Protection, and Health,

 

________________________________

ROSALYN H. BAKER, Chair

 

________________________________

KARL RHOADS, Chair