Bill Text: HI HB2261 | 2018 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Relating To Sewage Spills.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 30-1)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2018-01-26 - Referred to EEP/OMH, HHS, FIN, referral sheet 8 [HB2261 Detail]
Download: Hawaii-2018-HB2261-Introduced.html
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HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES |
H.B. NO. |
2261 |
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TWENTY-NINTH LEGISLATURE, 2018 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
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A BILL FOR AN ACT
RELATING TO SEWAGE spills.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
SECTION 1. The legislature finds that pollution from land-based sources is a primary cause of coral reef degradation throughout the world. In particular, research shows that raw human waste contain microbes that are responsible for coral diseases, such as white pox and black band disease, that are capable of devastating large patches of reef. In recent years, Hawaii has experienced numerous wastewater spills that have released raw sewage into the ocean. These have ranged from an estimated ten thousand gallons in 2016, to five hundred thousand gallons in 2015. In 2017, a United States Geological Survey study showed that the discharge from a sewage treatment facility near Kahekili Beach Park in West Maui has both eroded the nearby reef and inhibited new coral growth. The legislature believes that understanding the impacts of wastewater spills is critical to better protecting Hawaii's coral reef ecosystems and human health.
SECTION 2. Chapter 304A, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to part IV, subpart M, to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:
"§304A- Hawaii
institute of marine biology; sewage.
(a) The Hawaii institute
of marine biology shall conduct ongoing studies of the impacts of sewage spills
on human health resulting from contact through recreational ocean activities and
the environmental impacts of sewage spills on affected coral reefs. Studies shall include damage evaluations,
identification of diseases, and recommendations for mitigating detrimental
effects.
(b) The Hawaii institute of marine biology shall submit an annual report of its findings pursuant to this section to the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of each regular session. The reports may include proposed legislation."
SECTION 3. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $ or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2018-2019 to conduct ongoing studies of the impact of sewage spills on human health and coral reefs.
The sum appropriated shall be expended by the University of Hawaii for the purposes of this Act.
SECTION 4. New statutory material is underscored.
SECTION 5. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2018.
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INTRODUCED BY: |
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Report Title:
Environment; Health; Coral Reefs; Raw Sewage; Appropriation
Description:
Requires the Hawaii Institute of Marine Biology at the University of Hawaii to conduct ongoing studies of the impacts of sewage spills on human health and affected coral reefs. Requires the Institute of Marine Biology to submit an annual report to the Legislature prior to the convening of each regular session. Appropriates funds.
The summary description
of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is
not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.
