STAND. COM. REP. NO. 828

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2021

RE: H.B. No. 1102

H.D. 1

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2021

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs, to which was referred H.B. No. 1102, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO LITTER CONTROL,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to prohibit the intentional release of balloons inflated with a gas that is lighter than air.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Land and Natural Resources, Hawaii Reef and Ocean Coalition, The Humane Society of the United States, Precious Plastics Hawai‘i, Beach Environmental Awareness Campaign Hawai‘i, Hawai‘i Wildlife Fund, Pacific Whale Foundation, Surfrider O‘ahu, thirteen individuals, and a petition with numerous individuals.

Your Committee finds that balloons inflated with a gas that is lighter than air pose a significant danger and nuisance to the environment, particularly to wildlife and marine animals who often mistake the balloons for food and ingest them, causing severe injury or death. This measure ensures the health and safety of the State's wildlife by prohibiting the release of balloons inflated with lighter-than-air gases.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1102, H.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs,

____________________________

MARK M. NAKASHIMA, Chair