A bill to amend the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to provide grants to upgrade or convert small-capacity cesspools for households in the State of Hawaii.

Mazie K. Hirono

Democrat · HI · Senator

Source: Congress.gov · FEC

• Brian Schatz (D-HI)· 2026-09-30

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.

2026-09-29

Source: Congress.gov

Plain-English summary pending. Introduced on 2026-09-29. Check back soon — summaries are generated as bills progress through Congress.

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office] [S. 5577 Introduced in Senate (IS)] <DOC> 119th CONGRESS 2d Session S. 5577 To amend the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to provide grants to upgrade or convert small-capacity cesspools for households in the State of Hawaii. _______________________________________________________________________ IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES September 29, 2026 Ms. Hirono introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works _______________________________________________________________________ A BILL To amend the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to provide grants to upgrade or convert small-capacity cesspools for households in the State of Hawaii. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, SECTION 1. GRANTS TO UPGRADE OR CONVERT SMALL-CAPACITY CESSPOOLS IN HAWAII. Title II of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. 1281 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following: ``SEC. 228. GRANTS TO UPGRADE OR CONVERT SMALL-CAPACITY CESSPOOLS IN HAWAII. ``(a) Definitions.--In this section: ``(1) Eligible individual.--The term `eligible individual' means a member of a household located in a municipality identified pursuant to the affordability criteria of the applicable State established under section 603(i)(2). ``(2) Responsible management entity.--The term `responsible management entity' means an organization consisting of diverse stakeholders with technical, managerial, and financial capacity to operate and maintain viable decentralized wastewater systems within the jurisdiction of the organization. ``(3) Small-capacity cesspool.--The term `small-capacity cesspool' means an underground sanitary waste system that-- ``(A) is connected to 1 single-family residence and serves no other structures; and ``(B) receives only residential sanitary waste. ``(b) Grants Authorized.--The Administrator may make grants to the State of Hawaii or a responsible management entity with jurisdiction over an area located in the State of Hawaii for the benefit of eligible individuals to pay the Federal share of the cost of-- ``(1) subject to subsection (d)-- ``(A) the conversion of a small-capacity cesspool to an individual wastewater system, such as a septic tank; ``(B) the connection of a single-family residence with a small-capacity cesspool to a treatment works; and ``(C) the conversion of a community of single- family residences that each has a small-capacity cesspool to a community-scale, cluster, or decentralized wastewater system; and ``(2) workforce development, technical assistance, and educational and advocacy programs relating to wastewater management. ``(c) Federal Share.--The Federal share of the cost of activities carried out using a grant under subsection (b) shall be 75 percent. ``(d) Prioritization.--In making grants under subsection (b)(1), the Administrator shall, in consultation with the State of Hawaii, give priority to projects that address small-capacity cesspools that pose the greatest risk to human and environmental health. ``(e) Authorization of Appropriations.-- ``(1) In general.--There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section $20,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2028 through 2032. ``(2) Administrative expenses.--Of the amounts made available under paragraph (1) for a fiscal year, the Administrator may use not more than 2 percent for the administrative expenses of carrying out this section.''. <all>

• SRES931A resolution recognizing the month of October 2026 as Filipino American History Month and celebrating the history and culture of Filipino Americans and their immense contributions to the United States.
  Referred to Committee · 2026-09-30
• S5578A bill to amend the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to establish the Hawaiian Islands Program, and for other purposes.
  Referred to Committee · 2026-09-29
• SRES911A resolution expressing support for the recognition of September 27, 2026, to October 3, 2026, as "Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institutions Week".
  Referred to Committee · 2026-09-28
• S5331Protect American Values Act of 2026
  Referred to Committee · 2026-08-06