SB 2155 Hawaii Senate · 2026 Regular Session

RELATING TO WASTEWATER SYSTEMS.

This bill would increase the maximum number of bedrooms that a single individual wastewater system can serve from five to six. The change directly affects homeowners and property owners who rely on private septic or individual wastewater systems for their properties. The provision would take effect on July 1, 3000, allowing larger homes to use existing individual systems without needing to connect to municipal sewer infrastructure. This adjustment modifies current regulations to accommodate larger residential properties while maintaining the individual system framework.

Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2026

Committee Review

Mar 2026

Senate Passage

Mar 2026

House Passage

Governor

Introduced Jan 14, 2026 Last action Mar 20, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons

What changed between versions

SB2155_HD1 → SB2155_SD1 · 4 edits

MODERATE

The bill was revised to shift its approach from directly changing the law to requiring the Department of Health to update its administrative rules. This change clarifies that the maximum number of connected dwellings remains five, while the maximum number of bedrooms allowed per system is set at six, replacing the previous direct statutory amendment.

Scope change

The bill's scope changed from a direct statutory amendment to a directive for the Department of Health to amend its own administrative rules, adding a procedural requirement for rulemaking.

REQUIREMENT

The mechanism for changing the law was altered from a direct statutory amendment to a requirement for the Department of Health to amend its administrative rules.

The specific limits were clarified to allow up to five dwellings or dwelling units and a maximum of six bedrooms per individual wastewater system.

TIMELINE

The effective date was removed from the text, with the bill now stating it takes effect upon approval rather than a specific future date.

SCOPE

The bill title and description were updated to reflect the new focus on Department of Health rulemaking regarding dwelling units and bedrooms.

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

Mar 20, 2026

Committee

Reported from HSG (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 1304-26) as amended in HD 1, recommending passage on Second Reading and referral to EEP.

lower

Mar 18, 2026

Lower · Passed

The committee on HSG recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes were as follows: 7 Ayes: Representative(s) Evslin, Miyake, Grandinetti, Kila, Kitagawa, La Chica, Pierick; Ayes with reservations: none; 2 Noes: Representative(s) Cochran, Muraoka; and Excused: none.

lower

Mar 12, 2026

Committee

Referred to HSG, EEP, JHA, referral sheet 17

lower

Mar 10, 2026

Introduced

Received from Senate (Sen. Com. No. 184) in amended form (SD 1).

lower

Mar 10, 2026

Upper · Passed

Passed Third Reading, as amended (SD 1). Ayes, 25; Aye(s) with reservations: none . Noes, 0 (none). Excused, 0 (none). Transmitted to House.

upper

Mar 5, 2026

Upper · Passed

Report adopted; Passed Second Reading, as amended (SD 1).

upper

Feb 6, 2026

Committee

Re-Referred to HHS/AEN.

upper

Feb 2, 2026

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on HHS recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in HHS were as follows: 3 Aye(s): Senator(s) San Buenaventura, McKelvey, Kanuha; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 2 Excused: Senator(s) Keohokalole, Fevella.

upper

Feb 2, 2026

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

Jan 30, 2026

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on HHS/AEN has scheduled a public hearing on 02-02-26 3:00PM; CR 224 & Videoconference.

upper

Jan 22, 2026

Committee

Referred to HHS/AEN, WAM.

upper

Jan 21, 2026

Introduced

Introduced and passed First Reading.

upper

Jan 14, 2026

Introduced

Pending Introduction.

upper

5 primary · 0 co-sponsors