STAND. COM. REP. NO. 824-22

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2022

RE: H.B. No. 1644

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 Finance, to which was referred H.B. No. 1644, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to:

(1) Beginning December 31, 2024, ban the manufacture, sale, or distribution for sale or use of certain food packaging that contain perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances; and

(2) Beginning July 1, 2024, ban the discharge or otherwise use for training purposes, and the manufacture, sale, or distribution for sale or use of Class B firefighting foams that contain perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Americans for Democratic Action Hawai‘i, Surfrider Foundation Hawai‘i Region, League of Women Voters of Hawaii, Hawai‘i Reef and Ocean Coalition, and eight individuals. Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from the Retail Merchants of Hawaii and one individual. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Health, Hawai‘i Restaurant Association, and American Chemistry Council.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Finance that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1644, H.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Finance,

____________________________

SYLVIA LUKE, Chair