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SB2415
THE SENATE
S.B. NO.
2415
THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026
STATE OF HAWAII
A BILL FOR AN ACT
RELATING
TO MICROPLASTICS
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
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SECTION 1.
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The legislature finds that microplastics have
been found in every ecosystem on the planet, including the Antarctic tundra, the
peak of Mount Everest, the depths of the Mariana Trench, and tropical coral
reefs.
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Microplastics have also been
found in food, beverages, and animal tissue.
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The unintentional ingestion and inhalation of
microplastics is on the rise globally.
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The
legislature further finds that microplastic pollution poses a significant
threat to Hawaii and its residents.
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According to a 2024 study at the university of Hawaii, the waters and
beaches of Hawaii are among the environments most polluted by microplastics.
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A study at Harvard's T. H. Chan school of
public health found that all placentas tested from Hawaii contained detectable
levels of microplastics.
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Based on the significance
of the potential threat, a professor at the university of Hawaii's John A.
Burns school of medicine recently announced a new microplastics research
project, stating "Microplastics have been found in the blood and lungs of
healthy humans, highlighting an urgent need to understand their impact on our
health, particularly our ability to breathe."
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The
legislature recognizes that certified laboratory tests for microplastics costs
between $1,000 and $2,000 per test.
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Accordingly,
the purpose of this Act is to increase awareness of microplastics in Hawaii's
water by requiring and providing funding for the department of health to establish
a one-year pilot project to test drinking water for microplastics at four Oahu
elementary schools and to make the results publicly available.
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SECTION
2.
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(a)
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The department of health shall
establish a pilot project to test drinking water for the presence of microplastics
at the following public schools:
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(1)
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Iliahi elementary school;
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(2)
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Wahiawa elementary school;
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(3)
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Kaala elementary school; and
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(4)
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Helemano elementary school;
provided
that the department shall test the drinking water at each public school at
least once.
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(b)
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The
test samples collected pursuant to subsection (a) shall be analyzed by a
certified testing laboratory using accredited methods.
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(c)
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The department shall post all test results on
its website no later than December 31, 2026.
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(d)
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The pilot project shall be dissolved on .
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(e)
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As
used in this Act, "microplastics" means plastic fragments smaller
than five millimeters.
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SECTION
3.
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There is appropriated out of the
general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $25,000 or so much thereof
as may be necessary for fiscal year 2026-2027 for the pilot project established
by this Act.
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The
sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of health for the purposes
of this Act.
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SECTION
4.
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This Act shall take effect on July 1,
2026.
INTRODUCED BY:
_____________________________
Report Title:
DOH;
Pilot Project; Microplastics; Drinking Water; Appropriation
Description:
Requires
the Department of Health to establish a pilot project to test the drinking
water at 4 public elementary schools for microplastics and to post the results
on its website by 12/31/2026.
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Dissolves
the pilot project on an unspecified date.
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Appropriates moneys.
The summary description
of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is
not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.