HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
H.B. NO.
798
THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2025
STATE OF HAWAII
A BILL FOR AN ACT
relating to wastewater management.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
SECTION 1. Section 342D-50.5, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended to read as follows:
"[[Struck through: []]§342D-50.5[[Struck through: ] Treated]] [Underlined: Wastewater] or raw sewage; prohibition. (a) Notwithstanding any other law to the contrary, no person, including any public body, shall discharge any [[Struck through: treated]] [Underlined: wastewater] or raw sewage into state waters after December 31, 2026; provided that this section shall not apply to a [[Struck through: sewage]] treatment plant that:
(1) [[Struck through: Utilizes sewage to produce]] [Underlined: Produces] clean energy pursuant to section 196-10.5; [[Struck through: and]]
(2) Is in compliance with this chapter, rules adopted pursuant to this chapter, or a permit or variance issued by the director[[Struck through: .]][Underlined: ; or]
[Underlined: (3)] [Underlined: Has a treatment capacity of less than ten million gallons per day.]
(b) Nothing in this section shall be construed to:
(1) Prohibit the use of reclaimed or recycled water for a beneficial purpose as provided by law; or
(2) Allow the discharge of [[Struck through: treated]] [Underlined: wastewater] or raw sewage into state waters in violation of any federal statute, rule, or regulation."
SECTION 2. This Act does not affect rights and duties that matured, penalties that were incurred, and proceedings that were begun before its effective date.
SECTION 3. Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken. New statutory material is underscored.
SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.
INTRODUCED BY:
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Report Title:
Wastewater; Raw Sewage; Treatment; Discharge; Prohibition
Description:
Clarifies the exemptions to the prohibition on discharging any wastewater or raw sewage into state waters after December 31, 2026, including an exemption for treatment plants having a treatment capacity of less than 10,000,000 gallons per day.
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