RELATING TO NATURAL RESOURCES.
Sponsored By: III Richards (Democratic)
In Committee
Summary
Authorizes geological subsurface characterization activities conducted by a public research institution under certain conditions. Clarifies that boreholes or test holes drilled for the purposes of geological subsurface characterization are distinct from water well exploration and geothermal or mineral exploration. Requires the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism, to designate the Hawaii Groundwater and Geothermal Resources Center of the University of Hawaii, or a successor entity, as the repository for data collected from any geological subsurface characterization activity. Requires the Department of Land and Natural Resources to amend its exemption list to specify that certain geological subsurface characterization activities shall be exempt from the environmental review process or shall only require an exemption notice. Requires the University of Hawaii to amend its exemption list to specify that certain geological subsurface characterization activities shall be exempt from the environmental review process or shall only require an exemption notice. Requires the Department of Health to amend its rules related to hazardous waste and hazardous waste management for consistency with federal regulations to specify that certain waste products generated by geological subsurface characterization activity are exempt from hazardous waste management requirements.
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Bill Overview
No Economic Impacts Identified for this Bill
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
III Richards
Democratic • Senate
Cosponsors
There are no cosponsors for this bill.
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
Actions Timeline
Referred to EDT/WLA/EDU, WAM/JDC.
2/2/2026SenateIntroduced.
1/28/2026SenatePassed First Reading.
1/28/2026Senate
Bill Text
Original
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