Bill Text: HI SB508 | 2024 | Regular Session | Amended


Bill Title: Relating To The Environment.

Spectrum: Moderate Partisan Bill (Democrat 4-1)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2023-12-11 - Carried over to 2024 Regular Session. [SB508 Detail]

Download: Hawaii-2024-SB508-Amended.html

THE SENATE

S.B. NO.

508

THIRTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2023

S.D. 1

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

RELATING TO THE ENVIRONMENT.

 

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

 


     SECTION 1.  (a)  The department of health shall:

     (1)  Require that the clean water branch of the environmental management division continue to test water quality as part of its Hawaii beach monitoring program during brown water advisories, adhering to their regularly scheduled beach sampling schedule; provided that no water sample shall be collected by clean water branch personnel until hazardous conditions at affected beaches have subsided;

     (2)  Issue health advisories during brown water advisories that explain the health risks associated with water runoff, including but not limited to posting informational signs during brown water advisories at tier 1 beaches that explain the health risks associated with water runoff; and

     (3)  Prioritize environmental justice issues in the assessment of use when considering usage and public health risk for the department's ranking of beaches for inclusion in Hawaii's beach monitoring program.

     (b)  The department of health shall adopt or amend its administrative rules in accordance with chapter 91, Hawaii Revised Statutes, as necessary to implement this section.

     SECTION 2.  There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $           or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2023-2024 and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2024-2025 for       full-time equivalent positions (      FTE) for the purposes of this Act.

     The sums appropriated shall be expended by the department of health for the purposes of this Act.

     SECTION 3.  This Act shall take effect upon its approval; provided that section 2 shall take effect on July 1, 2023.


 


 

Report Title:

Department of Health; Environmental Management Division; Clean Water Branch; Hawaii Beach Monitoring Program; Environmental Justice; Brown Water Advisories; Beaches; Appropriation

 

Description:

Requires the Clean Water Branch to perform water quality testing during brown water advisories and post informational signs to explain health risks associated with water runoff during brown water advisories.  Requires the Department of Health to prioritize environmental justice issues when making certain assessments and determinations.  Appropriates funds for the establishment of positions within the Department of Health. (SD1)

 

 

 

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.

 

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