STAND. COM. REP. NO. 594

                                 Honolulu, Hawaii
                                                   , 1999

                                 RE: H.B. No. 858
                                     




Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say
Speaker, House of Representatives
Twentieth State Legislature
Regular Session of 1999
State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Energy and Environmental Protection, to
which was referred H.B. No. 858 entitled: 

     "A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO WASTEWATER,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this bill is to create a Board of
Certification Special Fund (Fund) to certify individuals to
operate wastewater treatment plants.  The Fund would provide the
Board of Certification Operating Personnel of Wastewater
Treatment Facilities (Board) with the necessary funds to carry
out its responsibilities.     

     Prior to FY 1996, the Board had an annual budget of about
$10,000 which was adequate to carry out the responsibilities of
the Board.  Since FY 1996, however, the Board's budget has been
reduced to only $5,198 due to cuts from the Department of
Health's budget.  The current budget is inadequate for the Board
to effectively implement the mandatory certification program for
wastewater treatment plant operations.
 
     Currently, the Board generates approximately $11,000
annually from registration and certification fees.  The entire
operational costs of the Board could be self-sustaining from
revenues generated within the program.  According to the State
Auditor, a clear linkage exist between benefits sought and
charges made since wastewater treatment plant operators, who are

 
 
 
 
                                 STAND. COM. REP. NO. 594
                                 Page 2

 
certified by the Board, pay fees to support the operations of the
Board.  

     The Department of Health supports this measure, provided
that it does not affect the proposed Executive Budget Request.
The Waimanalo Citizens for a Healthy Future submitted testimony
in support of this measure.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your
Committee on Energy and Environmental Protection that is attached
to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and
purpose of H.B. No. 858 and recommends that it pass Second
Reading and be referred to the Committee on Finance.

                                   Respectfully submitted on
                                   behalf of the members of the
                                   Committee on Energy and
                                   Environmental Protection,



                                   ______________________________
                                   HERMINA M. MORITA, Chair