Bill Text: HI SB1598 | 2023 | Regular Session | Amended

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Bill Title: Relating To Water Testing.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 2-0)

Status: (Engrossed - Dead) 2023-03-23 - Report adopted; referred to the committee(s) on FIN with none voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and Representative(s) Martinez, Nakashima excused (2). [SB1598 Detail]

Download: Hawaii-2023-SB1598-Amended.html

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THE SENATE	S.B. NO.	1598
THIRTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2023		S.D. 2
STATE OF HAWAII
1

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

RELATING TO WATER TESTING.

 

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

 

     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that there is only one water quality testing laboratory on the island of Maui.  The laboratory is operated by the county of Maui and only serves the county's agencies.  The legislature also finds that all other water quality testing must be sent to the island of Oahu and takes up to twelve weeks to be returned.  The legislature believes that a water testing laboratory at the University of Hawaii Maui college will not only allow for faster water quality test results but will also provide opportunities for further water quality research on the island of Maui.

     The legislature notes that in 2022, the island of Maui experienced a water quality crisis when wastewater leaked from condominium injection wells into the island's coastline.  The island of Oahu experienced a similar crisis when fuel leaked into the island's drinking water from the Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility.  Given these and other water quality crises, the legislature finds that water quality testing is imperative to the health of the State's environment and residents and is therefore a matter of statewide concern.

     Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to fund and staff a water testing laboratory at the University of Hawaii Maui college.

     SECTION 2.  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 2023-2024 and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2024-2025 to support water testing by science faculty of the University of Hawaii Maui college.  The moneys shall be allocated as follows:

     (1)  $100,000 annually for one full-time equivalent (1.0 FTE) laboratory coordinator having a doctoral degree in water science;

     (2)  $65,000 annually for one full-time equivalent (1.0 FTE) laboratory assistant having a bachelor's degree in marine science or biology; and

     (3)  $50,000 annually for laboratory supplies and testing supplies.

     The sums appropriated shall be expended by the University of Hawaii for the purposes of this Act.

     SECTION 3.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2050.

 

Report Title:

UH; Maui College; Water Testing; Positions; Appropriation

 

Description:

Appropriates funds to the University of Hawaii Maui College to support water testing on the island of Maui, including supplies and the establishment of 2 full-time equivalent positions.  Effective 7/1/2050.  (SD2)

 

 

 

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