STAND. COM. REP. NO. 963-22

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2022

RE: H.B. No. 1992

H.D. 3

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. 1992, H.D. 2, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE ENVIRONMENT,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to:

(1) Encourage the production of local compost and the diversion of certain materials from the State's waste streams by allowing composting and co-composting operations in agricultural districts; and

(2) Establish and appropriate funds for an Environmental Health Specialist IV position in the Solid and Hazardous Waste Branch of the Department of Health.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Office of Planning and Sustainable Development, Department of Environmental Management of the County of Hawai‘i, County of Maui Department of Environmental Management, Environmental Caucus of the Democratic Party of Hawai‘i, West Maui Green Cycle, Zero Waste Maui, 350Hawaii, Kauai Climate Action Coalition, Malama Kaua‘i, Climate Protectors Hawai‘i, Hawai‘i Alliance for Progressive Action, Pele Lani Farm LLC, North Shore Economic Vitality Partnership, Life of the Land, and eighteen individuals. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Health, Department of Budget and Finance, Department of Agriculture, Hawai‘i Farm Bureau, and one individual.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Specifying that operations that process their own green waste and do not require permits from the Department of Health shall use the finished composting product only on their own premises to minimize the potential spread of invasive species;

(2) Changing the appropriation to an unspecified amount; 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 Finance that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1992, H.D. 2, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1992, H.D. 3.

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

____________________________

SYLVIA LUKE, Chair