Committees advance HB 1926 to fund Red Hill remediation studies

Chairs of the joint committees on Public Safety and Military Affairs and Water, Land, Culture and the Arts voted to advance House Bill 1926, a measure that appropriates state funds to study and plan remediation of contaminants released from the Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility.

The Department of Land and Natural Resources submitted written testimony in support and Kiala Richardson, identified as a DLR policy coordinator for the Red Hill Water Alliance Initiative, said DLR stood ready to answer committee questions. Imilo Borland of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs told the committee it has been more than five years since the contamination and urged the state to "uphold its constitutional duties to protect wai, mālama ʻāina and take care of our future generations," while also emphasizing that the state should seek reimbursement from the Department of Defense.

Ernie Lao of the Board of Water Supply told lawmakers the Red Hill problem "is not over" and called the measure "very important" because cleanup and remediation of water resources will "take generations." Lao noted state support for a special fund as a vehicle to receive federal reimbursements and other monies.

During questioning, the Board of Water Supply representative told the committee the agency has an ongoing Federal Tort Claims Act lawsuit against the U.S. Navy seeking about $1.21 billion, and described the legislature's special fund as a mechanism to consolidate state and federal recovery when available. The chair also noted the House bill identifies roughly "a little over $11 million" in state funding to support initial work.

Both the Water, Land, Culture & the Arts committee and the Public Safety & Military Affairs committee voted to pass HB 1926 with amendments changing the effective date so the measure can proceed to subsequent committees. The committees’ chairs and available members recorded affirmative votes and the recommendations were adopted.

The bill will move to the next committee referrals with the adopted amendments; the committees said they expect further work and oversight as remediation planning continues.