STAND. COM. REP. NO.  1754

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2023

 

RE:   H.C.R. No. 103

      H.D. 1

 

 

 

 

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2023

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committees on Energy & Environmental Protection and Corrections, Military & Veterans, to which was referred H.C.R. No. 103 entitled:

 

"HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION URGING ALL BRANCHES OF THE UNITED STATES MILITARY OPERATING IN HAWAII TO IMPLEMENT CHANGES IN THEIR POLICIES TO REDUCE, TO THE EXTENT POSSIBLE, THE USE OF PRODUCTS CONTAINING PERFLUOROALKYL AND POLYFLUOROALKYL SUBSTANCES,"

 

beg leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose of this measure is to urge all branches of the United States military operating in Hawaii to implement changes in their policies to reduce, to the extent possible, the use of products containing perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances.

 

     Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Health, Hawaii Military Affairs Council, Hawaii Reef and Ocean Coalition, Climate Protectors Hawaii, Environmental Caucus of the Democratic Party of Hawaii, and one individual.  Your Committees received comments on this measure from the American Chemistry Council and two individuals.

 

     Your Committees find that perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are persistent, toxic substances that can contaminate drinking water, bioaccumulate in fish and wildlife, and have multiple adverse health effects on humans.  Additionally, some of the highest concentrations of PFAS in the country have been found at and around military bases, in large part because of the military's longtime reliance on the firefighting foam known as aqueous film-forming foam, a product containing PFAS.

 

     Your Committees further find that various PFAS have been detected in soil and groundwater samples across the State that in some samples show levels that may pose a public health concern.  This measure urges all branches of the United States military operating in the State to reduce, to the extent possible, the use of products containing PFAS, which will lower the risks associated with PFAS contamination of the groundwater and drinking water supply in Hawaii.

 

     Your Committees have amended this measure by:

 

     (1)  Updating certain findings; and

 

     (2)  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 Corrections, Military & Veterans that are attached to this report, your Committees concur with the intent and purpose of H.C.R. No. 103, as amended herein, and recommend its adoption in the form attached hereto as H.C.R. No. 103, H.D. 1.

 

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Energy & Environmental Protection and Corrections, Military & Veterans,

 

 

____________________________

MARK J. HASHEM, Chair

 

____________________________

NICOLE E. LOWEN, Chair