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SB2475
THE SENATE
S.B. NO.
2475
THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026
STATE OF HAWAII
A BILL FOR AN ACT
relating
to red hill
.
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 numerous fuel
spills have occurred over the decades at the Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage
Facility, including the most recent occurrence on November 20, 2021.
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One of the results of the November 2021 fuel
spill was the birth of the Red Hill Water Alliance Initiative (WAI), a working group
that met regularly in 2023 and posed questions, conducted research, listened to
subject-matter experts, and formulated recommended policies regarding how to
address the various, complex environmental and public-health hazards caused by
the various releases of fuel.
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After much
diligent work, the Red Hill WAI issued a public report in November 2023 that
set forth its findings and recommendations.
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Some of the recommendations can only be
addressed by the federal government, while other recommendations can be
undertaken by the State and city and county of Honolulu.
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The legislature further finds that there is
an urgent and crucial need for further research on how to accelerate the
degradation of fuel in the environment to prevent the fuel from reaching potable-water
sources and for a better understanding of the unique hydrology of Red Hill
through groundwater modeling.
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Therefore,
the purpose of this Act is to appropriate funds to the department of land and
natural resources for these purposes.
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SECTION
2.
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There is appropriated out of the
general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $11,169,513 or so much
thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2026-2027 to be deposited into the
Red Hill remediation special fund established pursuant to section 174E-3,
Hawaii Revised Statutes.
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SECTION
3.
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There is appropriated out of the Red
Hill remediation special fund established pursuant to section 174E-3, Hawaii
Revised Statutes, the sum of $11,169,513 or so much thereof as may be necessary
for fiscal year 2026-2027 to be allocated in the following manner:
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(1)
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$2,800,193 for studies on remediation of
substances released from the Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility;
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(2)
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$4,379,320 for environmental monitoring and
testing;
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(3)
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$750,000 for research on groundwater modeling
and sampling; and
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(4)
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$3,240,000 for independent testing and
verification of water data, to be published on a public dashboard.
The sum appropriated shall be
expended by the department of land and natural resources for the purposes of
this Act.
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SECTION 4.
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The department of land and natural resources
shall seek reimbursement from the United States Department of Defense for all
of the costs identified in section 3 of this Act.
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SECTION 5.
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This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2026.
INTRODUCED BY:
_____________________________
Report Title:
Red Hill Remediation
Special Fund; Remediation; Monitoring and Testing; Groundwater Modeling and
Sampling;
Water Data Testing and Verification;
Appropriation
Description:
Appropriates
funds for studies on remediation of substances released from the Red Hill Bulk
Fuel Storage Facility; environmental monitoring and testing; research on groundwater
modeling and sampling; and independent testing and verification of water data,
to be published on a public dashboard.
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Requires
the Department of Land and Natural Resources to seek reimbursement from the
United States Department of Defense.
The summary description
of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is
not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.