SB 639 Hawaii Senate · 2026 Regular Session

RELATING TO UNDERGROUND STORAGE TANKS.

Summary

Requires an owner or operator of an underground storage tank or tank system with a confirmed release to meet certain standards for the restoration of the environment. Establishes a rebuttable presumption that any detection of these contaminants in the vicinity of an underground storage tank or a tank system after a confirmed release is a result of the confirmed release. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Issues: ✓ Environment

Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2025

Committee Review

Mar 2025

Senate Passage

Mar 2025

House Passage

Governor

Introduced Jan 17, 2025 Last action Dec 8, 2025

Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons

What changed between versions

SB639_HD1 → SB639_SD1 · 4 edits

MODERATE

The bill was revised from a House draft to a Senate version, shifting the focus from establishing new standards to clarifying existing environmental restoration requirements. The primary substantive change is the effective date, which was moved from a distant future date of July 1, 3000, to December 31, 2050, likely to align with the expiration of the current Red Hill water contamination emergency declaration. The legislative findings were also adjusted to emphasize the sacred nature of water and the necessity of complete remediation.

Scope change

The bill's scope remains focused on the cleanup of jet fuel from underground storage tanks, but the urgency and timeline for implementation have been significantly altered by the new effective date.

TIMELINE

The effective date of the Act was changed from July 1, 3000, to December 31, 2050.

REQUIREMENT

The requirement for environmental restoration was modified to explicitly state the goal is 'complete removal' of contaminants rather than cleanup to levels below detection limits.

ENFORCEMENT

The rebuttable presumption regarding contamination sources was retained but the surrounding context was updated to reference the Red Hill Water Alliance Initiative.

DEFINITION

The definition of 'Restoration of the environment' was simplified to focus on cleanup and removal with the goal of complete removal, removing specific references to detection limits.

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 14, 2025

Committee

Reported from EEP (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 1247) as amended in HD 1, recommending passage on Second Reading and referral to WAL.

lower

Mar 13, 2025

Lower · Passed

The committee on EEP recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes were as follows: 5 Ayes: Representative(s) Lowen, Perruso, Kahaloa, Kusch, Quinlan; Ayes with reservations: none; Noes: none; and 1 Excused: Representative(s) Ward.

lower

Mar 6, 2025

Committee

Referred to EEP, WAL, JHA, referral sheet 19

lower

Mar 4, 2025

Introduced

Received from Senate (Sen. Com. No. 179) in amended form (SD 1).

lower

Mar 4, 2025

Upper · Passed

Report adopted; Passed Third Reading. Ayes, 25; Aye(s) with reservations: none . Noes, 0 (none). Excused, 0 (none). Transmitted to House.

upper

Feb 20, 2025

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on JDC recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED. The votes in JDC were as follows: 4 Aye(s): Senator(s) Rhoads, Chang, San Buenaventura, Awa; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 1 Excused: Senator(s) Gabbard.

upper

Feb 18, 2025

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on JDC will hold a public decision making on 02-20-25 10:01AM; CR 016 & Videoconference.

upper

Feb 12, 2025

Upper · Passed

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

upper

Feb 12, 2025

Committee

Reported from HHS/AEN (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 401) with recommendation of passage on Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referral to JDC.

upper

Jan 31, 2025

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, Aquino, Hashimoto; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 2 Excused: Senator(s) Keohokalole, Fevella.

upper

Jan 31, 2025

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on AEN recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in AEN were as follows: 3 Aye(s): Senator(s) Gabbard, DeCoite, Rhoads; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 2 Excused: Senator(s) Richards, Awa.

upper

Jan 28, 2025

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on HHS/AEN has scheduled a public hearing on 01-31-25 1:00PM; Conference Room 225 & Videoconference.

upper

Jan 23, 2025

Committee

Referred to HHS/AEN, JDC.

upper

Jan 17, 2025

Introduced

Introduced.

upper

9 primary · 0 co-sponsors