STAND. COM. REP. NO. 292-22

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2022

RE: H.B. No. 1528

H.D. 1

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2022

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Energy & Environmental Protection, to which was referred H.B. No. 1528 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO COMPOSTING,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to permanently establish and appropriate funds for a Compost Reimbursement Program and Compost Reimbursement Program Manager position within the Department of Agriculture.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Agriculture, Hawaii Farmers Union United, Hawai‘i Alliance for Progressive Action, Mulkern Landscaping and Nursery, Hawai‘i Farm Bureau, Malama Kaua‘i, Hawai‘i Food+ Policy, and fourteen individuals. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Budget and Finance.

Your Committee finds that composting plays an integral role in food and agricultural sustainability by adding valuable nutrients to the soil and reducing food waste. Additionally, recycling food waste into compost has many positive environmental benefits, such as eliminating the need for chemical fertilizers, reducing methane emissions generated from landfills, and promoting higher yields of agricultural crops. This measure promotes environmental awareness through composting and supports local farmers and ranchers in their efforts to reduce the State's greenhouse gas emissions.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Deleting language that would have established, specified the responsibilities of, and appropriated funds for a Compost Reimbursement Program Manager within the Department of Agriculture;

(2) Changing the effective date to July 1, 2100, to encourage further discussion; and

(3) 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. 1528, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1528, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Finance.

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

____________________________

NICOLE E. LOWEN, Chair