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Tax credit bill for cesspool upgrades signed
#1
From a press release:

HONOLULU, HI – Senators from Maui and the neighbor islands were especially pleased with the signing of House Bill 1140 for what it will do to provide financial support for the waste disposal issue the state and the counties have been struggling with for years.

Governor David Ige today signed HB 1140 into law, creating Act 120, which provides a temporary income tax credit for the cost of upgrading or converting a qualified cesspool to a septic system or an aerobic treatment unit system or connecting to a sewer system.

As the Senator whose majority of constituents reside in rural communities, Senate Majority Leader, Sen. J. Kalani English for many years has been looking for alternatives to address the lack of waste disposal systems within his district and throughout the state as concerns have been raised about cesspools being a contamination source for the state's streams, groundwater, and ocean.

"Installing sewer systems in remote areas has been prohibitively expensive for counties across the state. This measure will help many residents, especially those living in the remote areas such as H#257;na, Moloka'i and L#257;na'i, to convert old cesspools to modern septic systems," said Sen. English (Dist. 7 - H#257;na, East & Upcountry Maui, Moloka'i, L#257;na'i and Kaho'olawe). "I am hopeful that homeowners living close to the sea or a river will take advantage of this tax credit as a way to maintain the integrity of our waters and oceans."

"The effort to shift from cesspools to a septic or aerobic treatment system affects our older Neighbor Island and rural communities more than the urban areas that have the option of hooking up with a County's sewer system. These credits will help alleviate a portion of the financial impact of purchasing a more environmentally friendly individual wastewater system," said Sen. Gil Keith-Agaran (Dist. 5 - Central Maui).

"Many cesspool owners for financial reasons have been unable to convert their cesspools even while knowing their systems pose a risk to our water supply," commented Sen. Rosalyn Baker (Dist. 6 – South and West Maui). "This legislation will make sure our precious water supply is protected and assists residents to do the right thing."

As another alternative to the waste disposal issue, Sen. English also co-introduced Senate Bill 878 which authorizes the counties to approve the installation and use of composting toilets in areas that are inaccessible to municipal wastewater systems. SB878, CD1 was enrolled to the Governor and is awaiting his signature.



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#2
Haven't read the bill, but wonder if not more "feel good" legislation. Is this a paper only tax credit similar to the alternative energy credit or a cash back like the welfare type credits? If paper type, people with low/no taxable income have little incentive as they spend the money but get nothing.

David

Ninole Resident
Please visit vacation.ninolehawaii.com
Ninole Resident
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#3
I'm wondering what exactly a "qualified" cesspool is, and I suspect they mean "permitted".

Seems like this Bill would be more useful if it offered a fully refundable tax credit for upgrade of any cesspool.
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#4
This is great to hear. It's been a month now, what's the governor doing or what should WE be doing to encourage. Of all the places where composting toilets make sense, Hawaii is one of them with no cold days (at least lower altitudes). And, what about adding a methane digester while we're at it to power propane stoves. ;-)

approve the installation and use of composting toilets in areas that are inaccessible to municipal wastewater systems. SB878, CD1 was enrolled to the Governor and is awaiting his signature.




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Jan
Jan
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