Legislative Task Force

What is WAI’s Legislative Task Force?

Each year, Wastewater Alternatives & Innovations (WAI) leads a Legislative Task Force to help raise much-needed awareness of policy changes at the state level regarding Hawaiʻi’s issues with cesspools and the wastewater industry. The Task Force is composed of a coalition of passionate individuals, including representatives of environmental non-profits, law students, industry experts, and enthusiastic volunteers.

  • The Task Force, with support from WAI, brainstorms legislative strategies, submits testimony, and canvases for bill support.

  • WAI streamlines participation by distilling information before and during each legislative session and providing updates on bill tracking and progression.

  • Additionally, WAI informs the Task Force of recommended actions and opportunities for input, such as submitting testimony at critical points in the legislative session.

Overarching Policy Goals

Expand the existing Individual Wastewater Technologies (IWS) and cluster/decentralized systems approved by the Hawaiʻi Department of Health (DOH).

Increase overall funding for pilot projects.

Enhance funding opportunities for low and moderate-income homeowners in high-priority areas. (e.g. support tax rebates, low-interest loans, etc.)

Increase the range of approved technology and pricing options for homeowners to allow them to make better decisions on a case-by-case basis.

Address the conversion of the State’s most critical cesspools, as defined by the DOH.

2025 Policy Priorities

Top Legislative Priorities: 

  • HB734 HD1 – Relating to Wastewater Systems (DOH rules and practices review)

  • HB735 HD2 – Relating to Wastewater (Cesspool accessory units)

  • HB736 HD1 – Relating to Wastewater Systems (UH Water Resources Research Center pilot program)

  • HB749 HD1 – Relating to Cesspools (DOH Cesspool Conversion Section)

  • SB1232 SD2 – Relating to Wastewater Systems (UH 3-year Wastewater Technology Testing Pilot Program)


Other Legis. Priorities:

  • HB 879 HD1 – Relating to Cesspool Conversions (Cesspool Compliance Pilot Grant Project)

  • HB918 HD2 – Relating to Labeling (Disposable wipes labeling requirements)

  • SB946 SD2 – Relating to Wastewater Management (Wastewater discharging prohibition)

Notable Successes

2016

ACT 120 Passed

Banned construction of new cesspools & offered homeowners a $10k tax break to upgrade their systems

2017

ACT 125 Passed

Mandated upgrade of all cesspools by 2050 & required DOH to complete Priority Upgrade Areas Report

2018

2022

2024

HB2743

Requires UH to develop cesspool priority areas for sewer expansion by 1/1/2050 (ACT 125 deadline). Funds appropriated.

Resources