SB 738 Hawaii Senate · 2026 Regular Session

RELATING TO WASTEWATER MANAGEMENT.

Summary

Requires a wastewater treatment works to test sewage sludge and any other residual material for the presence of PFAS. Requires the Department of Health to adopt administrative rules for the safe disposal and sequestration of sewage sludge and other residual material that contain specific amounts of PFAS. Prohibits the issuance or renewal of permits if testing yields PFAS in sewage sludge or other residual material on land used for agronomic purposes, on land where drainage tiles have been installed, on land that drains into waters of the State, or land in a five hundred-year floodplain. Effective 12/31/2050. (SD1)

Issues: ✓ Environment

Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2025

Committee Review

Feb 2025

Senate Passage

Feb 2025

House Passage

Governor

Introduced Jan 17, 2025 Last action Dec 8, 2025

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

SB738 → SB738_SD1 · 4 edits

MODERATE

This bill was converted from a standard Senate bill to a Senate Majority Amendment (SD1), updating metadata and dates. The core policy change expands the definition of PFAS to include a broader range of fluorinated chemicals. Additionally, the requirement for testing now applies specifically to wastewater treatment works approved for land application, and the rules for safe disposal must address specific PFAS amounts rather than a total ban on any amount.

Scope change

The bill's applicability was narrowed to only those wastewater treatment works specifically designed and approved for land application of sewage sludge, rather than all treatment plants.

DEFINITION

The definition of PFAS was expanded to include fluorinated substances with specific carbon structures, moving beyond the previous reference to a single external statute.

REQUIREMENT

Testing requirements now apply only to wastewater treatment works approved for land application, replacing the broader requirement for all treatment plants.

Administrative rules for safe disposal must now address specific PFAS amounts instead of prohibiting disposal of sludge containing any amount of PFAS.

TIMELINE

The effective date of the Act was changed from immediate approval to December 31, 2050.

Floor votes

How they voted

This bill passed the Senate by voice vote (no roll call recorded).

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Feb 14, 2025

Upper · Passed

Report adopted; Passed Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referred to WAM.

upper

Feb 14, 2025

Committee

Reported from HHS/AEN (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 557) with recommendation of passage on Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referral to WAM.

upper

Feb 7, 2025

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on AEN recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in AEN were as follows: 5 Aye(s): Senator(s) Gabbard, Richards, DeCoite, Rhoads, Awa; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 0 Excused: none.

upper

Feb 7, 2025

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on HHS recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in HHS were as follows: 4 Aye(s): Senator(s) San Buenaventura, Aquino, Hashimoto, Keohokalole; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 1 Excused: Senator(s) Fevella.

upper

Feb 4, 2025

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on HHS/AEN has scheduled a public hearing on 02-07-25 2:00PM; Conference Room 225 & Videoconference.

upper

Jan 23, 2025

Committee

Referred to HHS/AEN, WAM.

upper

Jan 17, 2025

Introduced

Introduced.

upper

1 primary · 2 co-sponsors