# Hawaii SB 542: RELATING TO CESSPOOLS.

Hawaii SB 542, RELATING TO CESSPOOLS., is a 2025–2026 Regular Session (Year 1) Senate bill sponsored by Mike Gabbard (Democratic); status in committee, last action 2025-01-21 (Referred to AEN/HHS, WAM/JDC.) (as of 2026-10-17).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/HI-SB542-2025
- As of: 2026-10-17
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Bill: Hawaii SB 542
- State: Hawaii
- Session: 2025–2026 Regular Session (Year 1)
- Title: RELATING TO CESSPOOLS.
- Status: in committee
- Chamber: Senate
- Introduced: 2025-01-17
- Last action: 2025-01-21, Referred to AEN/HHS, WAM/JDC.
- Sponsor: Mike Gabbard (Democratic)
- Cosponsors: 2
- Subjects: DOH, Cesspools, Mandatory Upgrade, Conversion, or Connection, Prioritization, Cesspool Compliance Pilot Grant Project, Appropriations, GO Bonds, AEN/HHS, WAM/JDC
- Touches household money: no
- Economic provisions PRIA read: 0

## Summary

Requires certain priority level 1 cesspools to be upgraded, converted, or connected before 1/1/2035. Requires priority level 2 and other cesspools to be upgraded, converted, or connected before 1/1/2040, rather than before 1/1/2050, with certain exemptions. Authorizes the Director of Finance to issue general obligation bonds. Appropriates funds.

## Bill overview

No economic impacts identified for this bill.

## Sponsors and cosponsors

- Sponsor: Mike Gabbard (Democratic), Senate
- Cosponsor: Stanley Chang (Democratic), Senate
- Cosponsor: Michelle N. Kidani (Democratic), Senate

## Actions (3)

- 2025-01-21: Referred to AEN/HHS, WAM/JDC. (Senate)
- 2025-01-17: Introduced. (Senate)
- 2025-01-17: Passed First Reading. (Senate)

## Bill text

- Original: [HTML](https://data.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessions/session2025/bills/SB542_.HTM), [PDF](https://data.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessions/session2025/bills/SB542_.pdf)

## Related bills

- SB 572: RELATING TO HOUSING. (signed)
- HB 431: RELATING TO HOUSING. (signed)
- HB 420: RELATING TO REMEDIES. (signed)
- SB 1296: RELATING TO DISASTER RECOVERY. (signed)
- HB 830: RELATING TO HISTORIC PRESERVATION REVIEWS. (signed)
- HB 1064: RELATING TO FIRE PROTECTION. (signed)

## Sources
- [Original (HTML)](https://data.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessions/session2025/bills/SB542_.HTM)
- [Original (PDF)](https://data.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessions/session2025/bills/SB542_.pdf)

## Related
- [SB 572: RELATING TO HOUSING.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/HI-SB572-2025)
- [HB 431: RELATING TO HOUSING.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/HI-HB431-2025)
- [HB 420: RELATING TO REMEDIES.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/HI-HB420-2025)
- [SB 1296: RELATING TO DISASTER RECOVERY.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/HI-SB1296-2025)
- [HB 830: RELATING TO HISTORIC PRESERVATION REVIEWS.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/HI-HB830-2025)
- [HB 1064: RELATING TO FIRE PROTECTION.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/HI-HB1064-2025)
- [Hawaii bills](https://policyrisk.com/states/hawaii/bills)
- [Hawaii state hub](https://policyrisk.com/states/hawaii)
- [All state legislation](https://policyrisk.com/state-bills)

Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/HI-SB542-2025 (as of 2026-10-17).