HI SB958

Appropriates $5,000,000 for fiscal year 2025-2026 and $5,000,000 for fiscal year 2026-2027 to the Department of Health for the Cesspool Compliance Pilot Grant Project.

Establishes three full-time equivalent (3.0 FTE) positions to administer the grant program, with authority to contract for administrative services.

Provides grants to assist low- and moderate-income property owners, including lessees on Hawaiian home lands, with cesspool conversion costs in priority level 1 or 2 areas identified by the Hawaii cesspool prioritization tool.

Addresses contamination of groundwater, streams, and coastal ecosystems caused by failing cesspools, supporting the state's 2050 deadline for all cesspools to be upgraded, converted to approved wastewater systems, or connected to sewerage systems.

Takes effect on December 31, 2050.