RELATING TO DESALINATION.

HB780

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

780

THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2025

STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

relating
to desalination
.

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

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SECTION 1.
�
The purpose of
this Act is to establish a desalination planning task force to determine
whether the use of desalination for large-scale water consumption in the State
is feasible.

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SECTION 2.
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(a)
�
There is established within
the department of land and natural resources a desalination planning task force
for administrative purposes.

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(b)
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The task force shall comprise the following members:

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(1)
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The
director of health or the director's designee;

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(2)
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The
chairperson of the board of agriculture or the chairperson's designee;

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(3)
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The
chairperson of the commission on water resource management or the chairperson's
designee, who shall serve as chair;

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(4)
�
The
chief executive officer of the office of Hawaiian affairs or the chief
executive officer's designee;

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(5)
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The
chairs of the senate and house of representatives standing committees on water
and land or their designees; and

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(6)
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The
director or manager and chief engineer of each county's department or board of
water supply.

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(c)
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The task force shall:

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(1)
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Conduct
a study to determine the water demand for housing, agriculture, and industrial
uses throughout the State, including in high-need areas;

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(2)
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Examine
the feasibility of using desalination as a source of clean and safe drinking
water to supplement the State's existing groundwater and surface water
resources;

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(3)
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Determine
the extent to which the use of desalination will:

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(A)
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Assist
the State in meeting its projected future water needs; and

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(B)
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Improve
the resiliency of the State's water systems, considering in particular the
impacts of the water crisis caused by the contamination at the Red Hill Bulk
Fuel Storage Facility;

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(4)
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Determine
whether it is feasible for the commission on water resource management to
integrate desalination into its overall water management plans;

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(5)
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Consider
the extent to which the construction of desalination plants may affect or
interfere with historical sites and Native Hawaiian cultural sites and
practices, including burial sites; and

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(6)
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Address
environmental concerns associated with the operation of desalination plants,
including high energy consumption.

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(d)
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The members of the task force shall serve without compensation but shall
be reimbursed for expenses, including travel expenses, necessary for the
performance of their duties.

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(e)
�

No member of the task force shall be subject to chapter 84, Hawaii
Revised Statues, solely because of the member's participation in the task
force.

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(f)
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The department of land and natural resources shall provide
administrative assistance to the task force.

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(g)
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The task force shall submit a report of its findings and
recommendations, including any proposed legislation, to the legislature no
later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular session of
2026.

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(h)
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The task force shall cease to exist on June 30, 2026.

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SECTION 3.
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This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

INTRODUCED BY:

_____________________________

Report Title:

Potable
Water; Desalination; Planning Task Force

Description:

Establishes
a Desalination Planning Task Force to examine the feasibility of, and develop a
plan and timeline for, the use desalination as a source of potable water in the
State.

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