STAND. COM. REP. NO.  449-08

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2008

 

RE:   H.B. No. 2211

 

 

 

 

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Fourth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2008

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Energy & Environmental Protection, to which was referred H.B. No. 2211 entitled:

 

"A BILL FOR AN ACT MAKING AN APPROPRIATION FOR WASTEWATER PROJECTS,"

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose of this bill is to provide financial support for wastewater treatment projects and assist in complying with federal requirements imposed by the Environmental Protection Agency by appropriating funds for the Water Pollution Control Revolving Fund (Revolving Fund).

 

     The Public Works Department of the County of Kauai, Hawaii County Council, a member of the Hawaii County Council, Department of Environmental Management of the County of Hawaii, Department of Environmental Services of the City and County of Honolulu, Department of Environmental Management of the County of Maui, Hawaii Building & Construction Trades Council, AFL-CIO, and the Laborer's Union Local 368, supported this bill.  The Department of Health (DOH) opposed this measure.

 

     Your Committee finds that funding is desperately needed to replenish the Revolving Fund to provide loan assistance to counties who depend on the Revolving Fund to finance wastewater treatment projects.  Currently, statewide, there are approximately $882,000,000 in proposed projects that need to be financed.  A minimum of $1,000,000 in state funds is needed to draw upon the anticipated $5,000,000 federal allocation, which amounts to a 20 percent state match.  According to DOH testimony, only $800,000 was requested in the current budget.  Your Committee requests the Committee on Finance to review and confirm the $800,000 amount and act accordingly upon its findings.

 

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Energy & Environmental Protection that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2211 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 & Environmental Protection,

 

 

 

 

____________________________

HERMINA MORITA, Chair