STAND. COM. REP. NO. 556-20
Honolulu, Hawaii
, 2020
RE: H.B. No. 2579
H.D. 1
Honorable Scott K. Saiki
Speaker, House of Representatives
Thirtieth State Legislature
Regular Session of 2020
State of Hawaii
Sir:
Your Committees on Energy & Environmental Protection and Health, to which was referred H.B. No. 2579 entitled:
"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH,"
beg leave to report as follows:
Your Committees find that Environmental Action Levels (EAL) are primarily used to identify the presence of contaminated soil and groundwater that may require management and cleanup. Clear, consistent, and transparent guidance for development and consultation to establish minimum hazard thresholds are essential to protect human health and Hawaii's environment. Your Committees further find that credentialed experts should be included in the process to evaluate and affirm EALs set by the Department of Health, and notice should be provided to affected agencies.
Your Committees have amended this measure by:
(1) Removing the peer review requirement for minimum hazard thresholds developed by the Department of Health but retaining an independent technical advisory committee's approval;
(2) Requiring that the Department of Health provide notice of proposed changes or variances in EALs to the county boards or departments of water supply and other affected agencies;
(3) Changing its effective date to July 1, 2050, to encourage further discussion; and
(4) Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity, consistency, and style.
As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Energy & Environmental Protection and Health that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2579, as amended herein, and recommend that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 2579, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Finance.
Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Energy & Environmental Protection and Health,
____________________________ JOHN M. MIZUNO, Chair |
|
____________________________ NICOLE E. LOWEN, Chair |