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They are how we protect our special coastal places

05 • 07 • 2015

HI State Legislature Passes Stormwater Bill

In 2014, Surfrider’s Hawaii Chapters joined an informal task force to draft a bill that would allow the counties to charge stormwater utility fees to reduce runoff into waterways and the ocean.  Oahu Chapter Coordinator Rafael Bergstrom worked with Rep. Chris Lee to write and introduce the bill, and the Hawaii Chapters supported it throughout the legislative session.  We formed a coalition of groups to support the bill, met with the key legislators and even hosted a “Civics Is Sexy” Workshop to educate people about the legislative process and how they could support bills  like this.  HB1325 passed both the House and Senate on 4/26/15.  Now that the Governor has signed the bill into law, the counties will be able to charge utility fees to reduce stormwater runoff, which is one of the leading causes of water pollution. Surfrider chapters on Oahu and the Big Island are working with legislators and county staff to help craft the appropriate program and fee structure.