S.B. 539 Summary

• Requires state agencies that monitor environmental toxins to establish environmental action levels (EALs) consistent with best practices and current scientific evidence.

• Prohibits any modification to EALs without advance public notice, publication of scientific justification, at least 30 days for public comment, and one or more public hearings under Hawaii Revised Statutes Chapter 91.

• Allows any state resident to petition agencies to modify established EALs, with agencies required to respond promptly per Chapter 91 procedures.

• Addresses discrepancies between Hawaii's EALs and federal EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs), particularly for PFOS and PFOA (Hawaii: 70 ppt vs. EPA: 4 ppt).

• Takes effect upon approval.