STAND. COM. REP. NO. 143-20

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2020

RE: H.B. No. 2404

H.D. 1

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirtieth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2020

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Energy & Environmental Protection, to which was referred H.B. No. 2404 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO GRANTS FOR LOCAL RECYCLING FACILITIES,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure as received is to incentivize the development of new recycling, bioconversion, or composting businesses within Hawaii by establishing a recycling facility grant program, to be administered by the Office of Solid Waste Management within the Department of Health.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Health, Plastics Industry Association, Reynolds Recycling, Zero Waste Oahu, Zero Waste Kauai, Surfrider Oahu, 350Hawaii.org, Young Progressives Demanding Action, Pono Hawaii Initiative, Our Revolution Hawaii, and ten individuals.

Your Committee finds that Hawaii's small population, prohibitive land and infrastructure costs, and current recycling participation rates create significant challenges to operating new recycling facilities. Grants for the manufacturing of recycled products using the local waste stream and commercial composting using the local waste stream can help close the loop of inputs and outputs, thereby creating a circular economy for Hawaii's solid waste stream.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Clarifying that the purpose of this measure is to incentivize the development of new recycled products manufacturing, bioconversion, or composting businesses in Hawaii;

(2) Identifying the program as the Recycled Products Manufacturing Grant Program for the manufacturing, bioconversion, or composting, of the local waste stream to produce recycled products within the State;

(3) Changing its defective date to July 1, 2050, to encourage further discussion; and

(4) Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity, consistency, and style.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Energy & Environmental Protection that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2404, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 2404, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Economic Development & Business.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Energy & Environmental Protection,

____________________________

NICOLE E. LOWEN, Chair