STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3962

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: H.B. No. 1992

H.D. 3

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2022

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred H.B. No. 1992, H.D. 3, entitled:

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

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to authorize and encourage the production of local compost and the diversion of certain materials from the State's waste streams.

More specifically, the measure:

(1) Authorizes composting and co-composting operations in agricultural districts, under certain conditions; and

(2) Establishes and appropriates moneys for an environmental health specialist IV position in the Solid and Hazardous Waste Branch of the Department of Health.

Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the Hawaii County Department of Environmental Management; Maui County Department of Environmental Management; County of Kauai; Climate Protectors Hawaii; Kauai Women's Caucus; 350Hawaii; Environmental Caucus of the Democratic Party of Hawaii; Life of the Land; Zero Waste Hawaii Island; West Maui Green Cycle, Zero Waste Maui; Hawaii Farm Bureau; Hawaii Alliance for Progressive Action; and nine individuals.

Your Committee received written comments on this measure from the Department of Budget and Finance, Department of Health, and Department of Agriculture.

Your Committee finds that allowing composting and co-composting operations in agricultural districts will benefit the State by helping to reduce landfill waste, increase composting, address climate change, and support regenerative agriculture.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Changing the effective date to July 1, 2051, to facilitate further discussion on the measure; and

(2) Making technical nonsubstantive changes for purposes of clarity, consistency, and style.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Ways and Means that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1992, H.D. 3, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1992, H.D. 3, S.D. 1.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Ways and Means,

________________________________

DONOVAN M. DELA CRUZ, Chair