RELATING TO NATURAL RESOURCES.

SB2901

THE SENATE

S.B. NO.

2901

THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026

STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

relating
to natural resources
.

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

PART I

����
SECTION
1.
�
The legislature finds that the
State's natural resources are critical to its economic stability, energy
security, climate resilience, public health, safety, and cultural
continuity.
�
The legislature further
finds that planning for the availability of water supplies, the siting of
renewable energy infrastructure, accurate wildfire and landslide risk
assessment, and response procedures designed for drought and contamination
emergencies are among the fiduciary acts performed by the State in the best
interests of the public.
�
The legislature
believes that such planning and procedure is best made when high-quality,
site-specific surface and subsurface data are considered, including information
on stratigraphy, permeability, groundwater levels, temperature gradients, gas
composition, and other geological conditions.

����
The
legislature further finds that the public trust doctrine dictates that the
State must protect and manage public natural resources, including water, land,
and forests, for present and future generations while also providing for their
"highest economic social benefits", necessitating the need to balance
various, competing interests.
�
Existing
statutory and regulatory frameworks governing wells and mining were designed to
manage the long-term production and viability of the State's water and mineral
resources.
�
However, these frameworks
were implemented without consideration of the need to treat investigations conducted
for the purpose of collecting scientific data that defines observable
subsurface conditions differently from commercial developments.
�
Consequently, these statutory and regulatory
frameworks hinder scientific investigation that produces findings often needed
by regulatory agencies to identify and guide their management of those
resources.

����
The
legislature also finds that regulatory frameworks governing water and mineral
resources do not preclude non‑extractive scientific research that is
necessary to identify and understand the State's natural resources.
�
Furthermore, the State's environmental review
framework authorizes agencies, subject to review of the environmental advisory
council, to exempt actions that individually and cumulatively will, in all
probability, have minimal or no consequential effects on the environment from
the environmental review process.

����
The
legislature additionally finds that the university of Hawaii and other research
institutions based in the State use non-destructive analytical field processes
in the normal course of their work.
�

Those processes may include the use of temporary, small‑diameter
boreholes used for the purpose of collecting scientific data that defines
observable subsurface conditions.
�
These
activities are primarily non-commercial in nature and are not intended to
support ongoing water or geothermal production.
�

Boreholes used for these purposes are designed to be sealed or otherwise
decommissioned after data gathering is complete in a manner that protects
post-study groundwater and surface environments.

����
The
legislature additionally finds that without regulatory clarification, temporary
boreholes used for collecting scientific data that defines observable
subsurface conditions may be subjected to the same administrative scrutiny as
commercial exploration for water production wells or mining operations that
regularly require environmental assessments or impact statements.
�
As a result, time-sensitive geological
subsurface characterization activities that produce useful scientific data are
often delayed, which increases costs and often discourages data collection
altogether.

����
Accordingly,
the purpose of this part is to:

����
(1)
�
Authorize geological subsurface
characterization activities conducted by a public research institution under
certain conditions;

����
(2)
�
Clarify that boreholes or test holes
drilled for the purposes of geological subsurface characterization are distinct
from water well exploration and geothermal or mineral exploration and are
therefore exempt from the requirements of chapter 174C, Hawaii Revised Statutes;

����
(3)
�
Require the department of business, economic
development, and tourism, to designate
the
Hawaii groundwater and geothermal resources center of the university of Hawaii,
or a successor entity, as the repository for data collected from any geological
subsurface characterization activity;

����
(4)
�
Require the department of Hawaiian home lands
to designate a repository or be the repository for any data collected from
geological subsurface characterization activities conducted on lands it holds
in trust;

����
(5)
�
Require the department of land and
natural resources to amend its exemption list to be consistent with administrative
rules adopted by the department, clarifying that certain geological subsurface
characterization activities shall be exempt from the environmental review
process or shall only require an exemption notice;

����
(6)
�
Require the university of Hawaii to
amend its exemption list to specify that certain geological subsurface
characterization activities shall be exempt from the environmental review
process or shall only require an exemption notice;

����
(7)
�
Require the department of health to
amend its rules related to hazardous waste and hazardous waste management for
consistency with Title 40, Code of Federal Regulations, Part 261, to clarify
that certain waste products generated by geological subsurface characterization
activity are exempt from hazardous waste management requirements; and

����
(8)
�
Require that the first site where a
borehole or test hole is drilled shall be located on land owned by the department
of Hawaiian home lands.

����
SECTION

2
.
�
The Hawaii
Revised Statutes is amended by adding a new chapter to be appropriately
designated and to read as follows:

"
Chapter

GEOLOGICAL
SUBSURFACE CHARACTERIZATION

����
� -1
�
Purpose; applicability.
�
(a)
�

The purpose of this chapter is to clarify that any temporary geological
subsurface characterization activity, including a borehole or test bore
drilling activity:

����
(1)
�
Shall not be treated as mining
operations or geothermal resources exploration or development under chapter
182, when conducted for scientific data gathering purposes;

����
(2)
�
Shall not be treated as wells for the
purposes of well construction and pump installation permitting under part VII
of chapter 174C; provided that the geological subsurface characterization
activity is conducted pursuant to section -3; and

����
(3)
�
May qualify as de minimis or otherwise
exempt actions under chapter 343; provided that the geologic subsurface
characterization activity does not violate any rule adopted under chapter 343.

����
(b)
�
Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to
exempt a person from obtaining a permit or approval required by law, including
but not limited to conservation district use permits under chapter 183C,
shoreline or special management area permits under chapter 205A, or county
ordinance.

����
(c)
�
This chapter shall apply to any geological
subsurface characterization activity conducted by or under the direction of a
public research institution on:

����
(1)
�
State lands, including public lands,
forest reserves, lands in the conservation district, and other lands under the
jurisdiction of the department of land and natural resources and department of
Hawaiian home lands;

����
(2)
�
Lands under the jurisdiction of other
state or county agencies; and

����
(3)
�
Private parcels; provided that the
owner of the parcel has provided written permission to the public research
institution.

����
(d)
�
Except as explicitly provided in this
chapter, nothing in this chapter shall be construed to:

����
(1)
�
Limit public trust water resources
under article XI of the Hawaii State Constitution or chapter 174C;

����
(2)
�
Alter the jurisdiction of the
department of health over underground injection well control, hazardous waste
management, or drinking water protection; or

����
(3)
�
Diminish protections for any Native
Hawaiian traditional and customary practice, historic property, or cultural
resource, including protections provided by article XII, section 7, of the
Hawaii State Constitution, and chapter 6E.

����
� -2
�
Definitions
.
�
For the purposes of this chapter:

����
"Borehole"
means a temporary, artificial excavation, opening, or cored hole in the ground
that is drilled, driven, or otherwise constructed solely for the purpose of
geological subsurface characterization activities that is:

����
(1)
�
Not equipped with permanent pumps or
production equipment other than temporary or low-capacity equipment used for
testing or sampling; and

����
(2)
�
Abandoned, sealed, or converted to a
monitoring or production well.

����
"Department"
means the department of business, economic development, and tourism.

����
"Geological
subsurface characterization activity" means any planned, temporary program
of field activities executed or advised by a public research institution
undertaken to collect scientific, engineering, or environmental data about
subsurface geologic, hydrologic, geochemical, geophysical, geothermal, or
related geological conditions, in compliance with section -3.
�
"Geological subsurface characterization
activity" includes but is not limited to:

����
(1)
�
Reflection seismology, refraction
seismology, multichannel analysis of surfaces waves, electrical resistivity
tomography, induced polarization, ground‑penetrating radar,
magnetotellurics, magnetic surveys, gravity surveys, and ground and airborne
gamma spectrometry;

����
(2)
�
Drilling, coring, or advancing small-diameter
temporary boreholes;

����
(3)
�
Collection of rock, soil, groundwater,
gas, and temperature measurements and samples;

����
(4)
�
Downhole logging, tracer testing,
hydraulic or thermal response testing, and other measurements;

����
(5)
�
Preparation, storage, and transmission
of resulting data and samples; provided that the activity is not primarily
intended to produce water, minerals, geothermal, heat, or other subsurface
resources for sale, commercial use, or continuous operational use;

����
(6)
�
Any extraction or injection that is
limited in duration, volume, and pressure as reasonably necessary for data
collection and testing; and

����
(7)
�
Any activity necessary to seal or
decommission a borehole.

����
"Groundwater"
means any water found beneath the surface of the earth, whether in perched
supply, dike confined, flowing, or percolating in underground channels or
streams, under artesian pressure or not, or otherwise.

����
"Hazardous
waste" means any material designated under Title 40, Code of Federal
Regulations, Part 261.

����
"Injection
well" means a well into which the subsurface disposal of a fluid or fluids
occurs or is intended to occur by means of injection.

����
"Investigative-derived
waste" means drill cuttings, drilling muds and fluids, purge water,
development water, used tracers, and other materials generated during
geological subsurface characterization borehole drilling, testing, sampling,
and decommissioning.

����
"Non-commercial
purpose" means an activity that is not conducted for the primary purpose
of generating profit from the sale or use of water, geothermal heat, minerals,
or other subsurface resources.
�
"Non-commercial
purpose" includes the receipt of or compliance with grants, contracts,
research funding, or cost‑sharing arrangements with private entities.

����
"Public
research institution" means a regionally accredited university or college
in the State, a state or federal research agency, or their contractors or
subgrantees acting under written direction and control of the institution or
agency.

����
"Scientific
data-gathering" means the systematic process of collecting, measuring, and
recording information, including observations, measurements, or existing
records, using established methods to answer research questions, test
hypotheses, and draw valid, reliable conclusions to ensure accuracy and
integrity for analysis and informed decision‑making.

����
"Test
bore" or "test boring" means any excavation or drilled hole
whose purpose is the immediate determination of subsurface geologic,
hydrologic, geochemical, geophysical, or geothermal conditions.
�
"Test bore" or "test
boring" includes borings for foundation, underground storage tanks, and
environmental monitoring under the purview of other government agencies and
hazardous waste remediation that is not intended for the purpose of conversion
to a production well.

����
"Well"
has the same meaning as defined in section 174C-3.

����
� -3
�
Geological subsurface characterization
activity; authorized; requirements.
�
(a)
�
A public research institution may conduct geological
subsurface characterization activities.

����
(b)
�
Any borehole or test bore drilled for
the purposes of a geological subsurface characterization activity shall:

����
(1)
�
Be designed, constructed, and
decommissioned in accordance with rules adopted by the department and best
management practices, including appropriate casing, cementing, blowout
prevention, and sealing;

����
(2)
�
Avoid direct hydraulic connection
between distinct aquifers or between contaminated and uncontaminated zones, to
the extent practicable; and

����
(3)
�
Be sealed or otherwise decommissioned
not more than years from the date that drilling
is completed; provided that the department may grant an extension for the
purpose of ongoing data gathering;

provided
further that any activities or extension of those activities conducted on lands
held in trust by the department of Hawaiian home lands shall require approval
from the department of Hawaiian home lands.

����
(c)
�
Any pumping, flowing, or injection to
or from a borehole drilled for a geological subsurface characterization
activity shall:

����
(1)
�
Be limited to the minimum volumes and
durations reasonably necessary to perform hydraulic, thermal, or tracer testing
or to collect representative samples;

����
(2)
�
Not provide a continuous supply of
groundwater or geothermal fluids for off-site use; and

����
(3)
�
Not measurably and adversely affect any
existing legal use of water or protected resources.

����
(d)
�
A public research institution conducting
geological subsurface characterization activity shall ensure that:

����
(1)
�
The geological subsurface
characterization activity shall not harm known cultural sites or burials or
impede any Native Hawaiian traditional or customary practice;

����
(2)
�
The geological subsurface
characterization activity shall not pose any significant risk of groundwater
contamination, subsidence, or induced hazards; and

����
(3)
�
The geological subsurface
characterization activity shall be in compliance with any applicable state and
federal requirements relating to endangered species, historic preservation, and
cultural resources.

����
� -4
�
Investigative-derived waste; hazardous waste;
management.
�
(a)
�
Investigative-derived waste generated by
geological subsurface characterization activity shall be managed in accordance
with Title 40, Code of Federal Regulations, Part 261; provided that investigative-derived
waste that does not constitute hazardous waste, including drill cuttings and
fluids, or are excluded from hazardous waste management under Title 40, Code of
Federal Regulations, Section 261.4(b), shall not be managed in accordance with
Title 40, Code of Federal Regulations, Part 261, solely because the investigative-derived
waste was generated by a geological subsurface characterization activity.

����
(b)
�
The department, in consultation with the
department of health, may, by rule or guidance, specify a presumptive non‑hazardous
management option for common categories of investigative-derived wasted,
including:

����
(1)
�
On-site or nearby land application of
clean cuttings;

����
(2)
�
Contained storage and evaporation of
non-hazardous fluids; and

����
(3)
�
Disposal at permitted solid waste
facilities.

����
� -5
�
Registration; proposal; requirements.
�
(a)
�
Notwithstanding sections 174C‑83 and
174C‑84, a public research institution shall register any geological
subsurface characterization activity with the department.

����
(b)
�
Before drilling a borehole for
any geological subsurface characterization activity a public research
institution shall submit to the department a geological subsurface
characterization activity proposal and register the proposed project with the
department.
�
A geological subsurface
characterization activity proposal shall include, at minimum, the:

����
(1)
�
Project name;

����
(2)
�
Contact information, including a
telephone number, mailing address, and email address of the project manager;

����
(3)
�
Proposed location or locations,
including the tax map key or keys of the location or locations;

����
(4)
�
Anticipated geological subsurface
characterization activities, testing types, durations, and maximum pumping or
injection rates;

����
(5)
�
Proposed timeline for drilling,
testing, and decommissioning;

����
(6)
�
Proposed measures to prevent
cross-contamination and protect groundwater; and

����
(7)
�
A declaration of non-commercial purpose
and intended data products.

����
(c)
�
In
addition to the requirements under subsections (a) and (b), a public research
institution shall also register with the department of Hawaiian home lands and
submit to the department of Hawaiian home lands the proposal required by
subsection (b) if the proposed project is located on lands that the department
of Hawaiian home lands holds in trust.

����
(d)
�
The department or department
of Hawaiian home lands, where applicable, may reject or condition a geological
subsurface characterization activity proposal; provided that the department or
department of Hawaiian home lands determines that the:

����
(1)
�
Geological subsurface characterization
activity proposal does not meet the requirements of subsection (b);

����
(2)
�
Proposed geological subsurface
characterization activity poses an unreasonable risk to groundwater resources,
public trust purposes, or an existing legal use of water; or

����
(3)
�
A borehole to be drilled for the
geological subsurface characterization activity will be:

���������
(A)
�
Used to supply water or geothermal
fluids for ongoing operational use beyond testing;

���������
(B)
�
Equipped with permanent pumping or
production equipment; and

���������
(C)
�
Maintained beyond the time limit
established under section -3 without decommissioning or
conversion to a monitoring or production well.

����
(e)
�
If the department or
department of Hawaiian home lands, where applicable, does not reject a
geological subsurface characterization activity proposal within forty‑five
days from the receipt of the proposal, the public research institution
conducting the geological subsurface characterization may proceed with the project.

����
� -6
�
Reports; data collection and sharing;
required.
�
(a)
�
A public research institution
conducting geological subsurface characterization activity shall submit a
report to the department for each borehole drilled for the purposes of geological
subsurface characterization activity.
�

The report shall include the final location, depth, basic construction
details, and decommissioning status of each borehole; provided that the
borehole has been converted to a well.

����
(b)
�
A public research institution conducting
any geological subsurface characterization activity on state lands or with
funding provided by the State shall, within days
after completion of data analysis, submit a report to a repository designated
by the department detailing:

����
(1)
�
Borehole locations, depths, and basic
construction details;

����
(2)
�
Stratigraphic and lithologic
descriptions;

����
(3)
�
Groundwater, temperature, and
geophysical logs, as applicable; and

����
(4)
�
Other non-proprietary data the
department may require by rule;

����
(c)
�

A public research institution shall submit the reports required under
subsections (a) and (b) to the department of Hawaiian home lands or a
depository designated by the department of Hawaiian home lands if the activity
is conducted on lands that the department of Hawaiian home lands holds in
trust.

����
(d)
�
The department, in
consultation with the department of land and natural resources, department of
Hawaiian home lands, and other involved agencies may authorize reasonable
protections for information a state or county agency deems culturally sensitive
or site-specific data, including generalizing public location data for these
sites, consistent with public trust and public interest considerations.

����
� -7
�
Rules.
�

The department, in
consultation with the department of land and natural resources, department of
health, and university of Hawaii shall adopt rules pursuant to chapter 91 for
the purposes of this section, including:

����
(1)
�
Technical standards for geological
subsurface characterization activities, including borehole diameter, depth, design,
construction, and decommissioning;

����
(2)
�
Registration procedures, forms, and
timelines;

����
(3)
�
Standards determining whether a
borehole drilled for geological subsurface characterization activities becomes
a well that requires a permit pursuant to chapter 174C;

����
(4)
�
Requirements for monitoring and
reporting, including completion reports under section -6; and

����
(5)
�
Enforcement mechanisms, including
orders to cease operations, undertake corrective actions, or seal boreholes."

����
SECTION

3
.
�
Section 182-1,
Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by amending the definition of "mining
operations" to read as follows:

����
""Mining
operations" means the process of excavation, extraction, and removal of
minerals, and the [
exploration or
] development of any and all geothermal
resources, from the ground, design engineering, other engineering, erection of
transportation facilities and port facilities, erection of necessary plants,
other necessary operations or development approved by the board preceding or
connected with the actual extraction of minerals and the exploration or
development of geothermal resources.
�
"Mining
operations" does not include a geological subsurface characterization
activity as that term is defined in section -2.
"

����
SECTION 4.
�
The department of
business, economic development, and tourism and the department of Hawaiian home
lands, where applicable, shall designate the Hawaii groundwater and geothermal
resources center, or a successor entity, as the repository for data collected
from any geological subsurface characterization activity to support planning
for water resources, geothermal potential, hazard mitigation, and other public
purposes; provided that the department of Hawaiian home lands shall be the
repository for any data collected from geological subsurface characterization
activities on lands it holds in trust.

����
SECTION

5
.
�
(a)
�
The department of land and natural resources
shall amend its exemption list to be consistent with rules adopted by the
department and include geological subsurface characterization activities in
part one of its exemption list where appropriate, specifying that certain
geological subsurface characterization activities shall be exempt from the
environmental review process.

����
(b)
�
The department of land and natural resources
shall amend its exemption list to be consistent with rules adopted by the department
and include geological subsurface characterization activities in part two of
its exemption list where appropriate, specifying that certain geological
subsurface characterization activities shall only require the preparation and
submission of an exemption notice.

����
SECTION
6.
�
(a)
�

The university of Hawaii shall amend its exemption list to include
geological subsurface characterization activities in part one of its exemption
list where appropriate, clarifying that certain geological subsurface
characterization activities shall be exempt from the environmental review
process.

����
(b)
�
The university of Hawaii shall amend its
exemption list to include geological subsurface characterization activities in
part two of its exemption list where appropriate, specifying that certain
geological subsurface characterization activities shall only require the
preparation and submission of an exemption notice.

����
SECTION

7
.
�
The department
of health shall amend its administrative rules relating to hazardous waste,
hazardous waste management, and underground injection control for consistency
with Title 40, Code of Federal Regulations, Part 261, to clarify that certain
investigative-derived waste products generated by geological subsurface
characterization activity are exempt from hazardous waste management
requirements.

����
SECTION
8.
�
There is appropriated out of the
general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $6,000,000 or so much
thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2026-2027 to fund two drilling
projects for the purposes of geological subsurface characterization; provided
that the first site where a borehole or test hole is drilled shall be on land
owned by the department of Hawaiian home lands.

����
The
sum appropriated shall be expended by the Hawaii groundwater and geothermal
resources center for the purposes of this Act.

PART II

����
SECTION
9.
�
The legislature finds that the
State's unique geographic location and marine resources provide exceptional
opportunities for advancing ocean and earth science research and technology
development.

����
The legislature further finds that the
Hawaii groundwater and geothermal resources center, a research unit dedicated
to providing historical and newly developed information relating to groundwater
and geothermal resources, was founded in 2014 within the school of ocean and
earth science and technology of the university of Hawaii at Manoa.
�
The legislature believes that codifying the
research center into statute will enhance the State's capacity to address
critical challenges and contribute to the economic development and
environmental sustainability of the State.

����
The legislature also finds that the Hawaii
groundwater and geothermal resources center possesses the requisite knowledge
and expertise to serve as the lead state agency to manage, direct, and guide
geological subsurface characterization activities in the State.

����
The legislature additionally finds that the
map of subsurface resources, inventoried in accordance with geological
subsurface characterization activities, will expand gradually over time.
�
Furthermore, such exploration of the State's
subsurface resources should occur only when specified by appropriation,
contract, or other form of funding.
�
Site
locations should be determined in accordance with the funder's specified
geographic coordinate area of interest, project complexity, and the Hawaii
groundwater and geothermal resources center's operational requirements.

����
Accordingly, the purpose of this part is to
codify the establishment of the Hawaii groundwater and geothermal resources
center within the school of ocean and earth science and technology of the
university of Hawaii at Manoa.

����
SECTION
10.
�
Chapter 304A, Hawaii Revised
Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to part IV to be appropriately
designated and to read as follows:

����
"
�304A-
�
Hawaii groundwater and geothermal
resources center; structure; function.
�

(a)
�
There is established
within the school of ocean and earth science and technology at the university
of Hawaii at Manoa the Hawaii groundwater and geothermal resources center.

����
(b)
�
The Hawaii groundwater and geothermal
resources center shall:

����
(1)
�
Advance the State's understanding of
its geological subsurface characteristics through the collection, interpretation,
and publication of new data, which shall improve knowledge of the State's:

���������
(A)
�
Groundwater, geothermal, and carbon storage
resources, and;

���������
(B)
�
Volcanic history and hazards;

����
(2)
�
Establish an information platform
and central hub from which the Hawaii groundwater and geothermal resources
center shall disseminate data and information related to the State's geological
subsurface characterization activities with respect to the natural resources
described in subsection (b)(1);

����
(3)
�
Encourage research and innovation
locally and globally in geological subsurface characterization activities; and

����
(4)
�
Build a local workforce of
professionals with expertise in the State's subsurface geology, resources, and
geological subsurface research methods, including geophysics and drilling.

����
(c)
�
The Hawaii groundwater and geothermal resources
center may:

����
(1)
�
Accept gifts, grants, and donations;

����
(2)
�
Enter into contracts and agreements
necessary to carry out its functions; and

����
(3)
�
Employ staff as needed.

����
(d)
�
The Hawaii groundwater and geothermal resources
center shall submit an annual report of its activities pursuant to this section
and findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, to the
legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of each regular
session.
"

����
SECTION 11.
�

There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii
the sum of $ or so
much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2026-2027 for the
establishment of the Hawaii groundwater and geothermal resources center within
the school of ocean and earth science and technology of the university of
Hawaii at Manoa.

����
The sum appropriated shall be expended by
the university of Hawaii for the purposes of this Act.

PART III

����
SECTION
12.
�
If any provision of this Act, or the
application thereof to any person or circumstance, is held invalid, the
invalidity does not affect other provisions or applications of the Act that can
be given effect without the invalid provision or application, and to this end
the provisions of this Act are severable.

����
SECTION 13.
�

Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken.
�
New statutory material is underscored.

����
SECTION 14.
�
This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2026.

INTRODUCED
BY:

_____________________________

Report Title:

DBEDT;
DLNR; DOH; DHHL; UH; SOEST; HGGRC; Geological Subsurface Characterization;
Natural Resources; Groundwater; Geothermal Resources; Hazardous Waste;
Exemptions; Administrative Rules; Appropriations

Description:

Authorizes
geological subsurface characterization activities conducted by a public
research institution under certain conditions.
�

Clarifies that boreholes or test holes drilled for the purposes
of geological subsurface characterization are distinct from water well
exploration and geothermal or mineral exploration.
�
Requires the Department of Business, Economic
Development, and Tourism, to designate
the
Hawaii Groundwater and Geothermal Resources Center of the University of Hawaii,
or a successor entity, as the repository for data collected from any geological
subsurface characterization activity.
�

Requires the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands to designate a repository
or be the repository for any scientific data collected from any geological
subsurface characterization activity on lands it holds in trust.
�
Requires the Department of Land and Natural
Resources to amend its exemption list to specify that certain geological
subsurface characterization activities shall be exempt from the environmental
review process or shall only require an exemption notice.
�
Requires the University of Hawaii to amend
its exemption list to specify that certain geological subsurface
characterization activities shall be exempt from the environmental review
process or shall only require an exemption notice.
�
Requires the Department of Health to amend
its rules related to hazardous waste and hazardous waste management for
consistency with federal regulations to specify that certain waste products
generated by geological subsurface characterization activity are exempt from
hazardous waste management requirements.
�

Requires that the first site where a borehole or test hole is drilled
shall be on lands owned by DHHL.
�

Establishes the Hawaii Groundwater and Geothermal Resources Center
within the School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology of UH Manoa.
�
Appropriates funds.

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