SB 2379 Summary

• Requires the University of Hawaii Sea Grant College Program, in cooperation with the Department of Health, to develop and conduct a two-year comprehensive statewide outreach program about sewage contamination sources and cesspool conversion solutions, with annual reports due to the legislature and the cesspool conversion working group by October 1 each year, with a final report by October 1, 2022.

• Directs the University of Hawaii Sea Grant College Program to conduct a stakeholder needs assessment identifying physical, practical, and financial impediments to cesspool conversion and recommend solutions to support converting all cesspools by 2050.

• Requires the University of Hawaii Water Resources Research Center to research wastewater system technologies to determine the most cost-effective way to upgrade cesspools in Hawaii and reduce their impact on drinking water and groundwater, with findings reported to the legislature no later than twenty days before the 2021 regular session convenes.

• Appropriates funds from general revenues for fiscal year 2020-2021 to the University of Hawaii Sea Grant College Program and Water Resources Research Center to carry out the purposes of the bill.

• Bill takes effect on July 1, 2050.