HI SB3362

Establishes criteria for county wastewater directors to determine imminent catastrophic failure of existing treatment facilities, requiring independent engineer assessment showing 50% of assets in D-grade or greater failure condition, imminent harm to public health and environment, and replacement costs exceeding 25% of county budget.

Authorizes counties to contract with private entities to design, build, and operate new wastewater treatment and resource recovery facilities as replacements for existing facilities when catastrophic failure is imminent.

Requires consultation and negotiation with exclusive union representatives before implementing projects, allows modifications or waivers of collective bargaining agreements, and protects displaced county employees from loss of earned rights and benefits.

Amends the definition of "resource recovery facility" in Hawaii Revised Statutes chapter 340A to include extraction and recovery of clean water, nutrients, fertilizer, renewable energy, gas, and bioshields from wastewater treatment processes.

Permits experimental modernization projects for wastewater treatment facilities to operate outside standard state and county personnel laws while remaining compliant with equal employment opportunity and anti-discrimination laws and collective bargaining requirements.