S.B. 2653 Summary

• Establishes a water quality task force composed of 11 members including representatives from the commission on water resource management (co-chair), department of health (co-chair), board of water supply, University of Hawaii, legislature, and invited participants from EPA, USGS, and the public to address consequences of the Red Hill fuel leak.

• Task force shall conduct a comprehensive study examining environmental impacts on water quality, infrastructure needs, public health impacts, economic consequences, and wastewater reuse options for responding to water scarcity and rationing caused by the Red Hill fuel leak.

• Task force shall submit findings, recommendations, and any proposed legislation to the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the 2024 regular session convening.

• Task force members serve without compensation but shall be reimbursed for necessary expenses including travel, and shall not be subject to conflict of interest laws solely due to task force participation.

• Task force shall dissolve on June 30, 2024, and an unspecified amount from general revenues is appropriated to the department of land and natural resources for the commission on water resource management to fund the multi-year study through 2023.