Hawaii HB1618: Relating to Cesspool Conversions.

What the bill says

A bill for an act relating to cesspool conversions.

From the enrolled text:

A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO CESSPOOL CONVERSIONS. SECTION 1. The legislature finds that cesspools are a source of pollution that threatens the health of Hawaii's people and environment. In response to the State's cesspool pollution problem, legislation was enacted in 2017 that requires all cesspools not exempt by the director of health to be upgraded or converted to director of health-approved wastewater systems or connected to sewerage systems by January 1, 2050. The legislature further finds that the large upfront costs of cesspool conversions prevent many cesspool owners from addressing systems that, contribute to the daily release of untreated sewage. It is in the public interest to explore all financing mechanisms to accelerate cesspool conversions and provide Hawaii's homeowners with additional financing options, especially for those not able to qualify for bank and credit union financing at reasonable rates and terms. The purpose of this Act is to: 2026--3291 HB1618 CD1 HMSO NcJ. ~ H.B. Page2 C.D. (1) Establish a cesspool conversion revolving loan fund and direct the Hawaii green infrastructure authority to establish a cesspool conversion financing program to provide low-interest or forgivable loans for eligible households to upgrade or convert existing cesspools in all counties to director of healthapproved wastewater systems or connect properties with existing cesspools to sewerage systems; and (2) Allow the department of …

Read the full official text

Sponsors

• Nicole Lowen (D, 7) · primary sponsor
• Cory Chun (D, 35)
• Luke Evslin (D, 16)
• Tina Grandinetti (D, 20)
• Mark Hashem (D, 19)
• Linda Ichiyama (D, 31)
• Greggor Ilagan (D, 4)
• Kirstin Kahaloa (D, 6)
• Jeanne Kapela (D, 5)
• Lisa Kitagawa (D, 48)
• Matthias Kusch (D, 1)
• Michael Lee (D, 50)

Latest actions

1. July 9, 2026: Act 204, on 07/08/2026 (Gov. Msg. No. 1306).
2. July 9, 2026: Act 204, 07/08/2026 (Gov. Msg. No. 1306).
3. May 8, 2026: Received notice of passage on Final Reading in House (Hse. Com. No. 888).
4. May 7, 2026: Transmitted to Governor.
5. May 6, 2026: Received notice of Final Reading (Sen. Com. No. 816).
6. May 6, 2026: Passed Final Reading as amended in CD 1 with none voting aye with reservations; Representative(s) Muraoka, Pierick voting no (2) and none excused (0).
7. May 6, 2026: Passed Final Reading, as amended (CD 1). Ayes, 23; Aye(s) with reservations: none. Noes, 2 (Senator(s) DeCorte, Fevella). Excused, 0 (none).
8. May 1, 2026: 48 Hrs. Notice (as amended CD 1) 05-06-26
9. May 1, 2026: Reported from Conference Committee as amended CD 1 (Conf. Com. Rep. No. 164-26).
10. May 1, 2026: Forty-eight (48) hours notice Wednesday, 05-06-26.

Votes

• Passed Final Reading, as amended (CD 1) (May 6, 2026): 23 yea, 2 nay, passed
• Final Reading as amended in CD 1 with none voting aye with reservations; Representative(s) Muraoka, Pierick voting no (2) and none excused (0) (May 6, 2026): 49 yea, 2 nay, passed
• none. (May 1, 2026): 3 yea, 0 nay, passed
• Conference Committee Vote (May 1, 2026): 3 yea, 0 nay, passed
• Passed Third Reading, as amended (SD 1) (April 14, 2026): 23 yea, 2 nay, passed
• WAM: recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS (April 9, 2026): 12 yea, 1 nay, passed

Common questions

What is HB1618?

HB1618 is a bill in the Hawaii Legislature (2026 Regular Session): Relating to Cesspool Conversions.

What does HB1618 do?

In its own words: A bill for an act relating to cesspool conversions.

What is the status of HB1618?

Signed into law as of July 9, 2026. Latest action: Act 204, on 07/08/2026 (Gov. Msg. No. 1306). (July 9, 2026).

Who sponsored HB1618?

Nicole Lowen (D, 7), with 11 co-sponsors.

Where is the official record for HB1618?

On the Hawaii Legislature website: https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=HB&billnumber=1618&year=2026