S.R. No. 83 Summary

• Urges the Department of Health and University of Hawaii Water Resources Research Center to incentivize wastewater treatment plants to test sewage sludge, reclaimed water, and other residual materials for PFAS ("forever chemicals").

• Directs the Department of Health to adopt administrative rules for safe disposal and sequestration of sewage sludge, reclaimed water, and residual materials containing any amount of PFAS.

• Prohibits the Department of Health from issuing or renewing permits for use of PFAS-contaminated sewage sludge, reclaimed water, or residual materials on agricultural land, land with drainage tiles, areas draining into state waters, or five-hundred-year floodplains.

• Notes that PFAS have been detected in Hawaii's drinking water in communities including Kunia and Waipio at levels exceeding federal safety standards.

• Urges the Governor to support the Department of Health's actions and requires transmission of certified resolution copies to the Governor, Director of Health, and Director of the University of Hawaii Water Resources Research Center.