On December 6, 2021, 48 members of the HawaiĘ»i House of Representatives signed a letter to the US Secretary of Defense and Secretary of the Navy requesting that the US Navy (1) prepare a plan to decommission the Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility and store its fuel in an alternate location; (2) provide a detailed plan for development of a water treatment facility to address current and/or future potential contamination mitigation as a result of the Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility; and (3) provide an estimate of the facility’s date of completion and its cost (see below).
On December 21, 2022, Speaker Scott K. Saiki established the House Interim Committee on Red Hill to recommend legislative proposals for the 2022 Regular Session that focus on the containment, treatment, and prevention of water quality matters related to Red Hill. The Interim Committee developed five (5) measures introduced to the 2022 Legislature as part of the Majority Package:
- HR 4, Establishing the House Special Committee on Red Hill to Address Issues Related to the Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility, Water Contamination and Remediation, and All Related Impacts.
This measure establishes a House Special Committee on Red Hill to continue the work started by the Interim Committee on Red Hill. This committee will be holding informational briefings on issues related to Red Hill and take any other actions as the committee deems appropriate.
Status: HR 4 was unanimously adopted by the House of Representatives on January 31, 2022. - HB 2515, Relating to the Department of Health: Requires the Department of Health to establish and operate a laboratory capable of testing for diseases and air and water quality issues and other high complexity testing. Appropriates funds.
Status: HB 2515 was passed with amendments by the House Committees on Health, Human Services, & Homelessness (HHH) and Energy & Environmental Protection (EEP) on February 8, 2022. It will be heard by the House Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce (CPC), then the House Committee on Finance (FIN). - HB 2514, Relating to Underground Storage Tanks: Requires the Department of Health to adopt the standard that all underground storage tanks not exceed a maximum capacity of 100,000 gallons.
Status: HB 2514 was passed with amendments by HHH and EEP on February 8, 2022. It will be heard by the CPC, then FIN. - HR 2 & HCR 6, Requesting the United States Navy to Prepare a Plan to Decommission the Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility, Store its Fuel in a Manner Compliant with State Law, Establish a New Water Treatment Facility, Pay for All Costs to the State, and Comply with All Future Remediation Efforts.
Status: HR 2 and HCR 6 will be heard by the HHH and EEP next week. Then, they will need to be heard by CPC.
