STAND. COM. REP. NO. 845

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2023

RE: H.B. No. 85

H.D. 1

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2023

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce, to which was referred H.B. No. 85, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO SINGLE-USE PLASTICS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to prohibit lodging establishments from providing personal care products in small plastic containers within sleeping room accommodations, any space within sleeping room accommodations, or bathrooms used by the public or guests.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Land and Natural Resources, Hawai‘i Lodging & Tourism Authority, Surfrider Foundation - Hawai‘i Region, Maui Chamber of Commerce, Maui Hotel & Lodging Association, and six individuals. Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from the Plastics Industry Association. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Health and Hawai‘i Tourism Authority.

Your Committee finds that plastic debris has deleterious impacts on wildlife and their habitats and is a critical natural resource issue in the State. Plastic in the environment degrades both land- and ocean-based habitat and impacts wildlife through ingestion, entanglement, smothering, and transport of invasive species. Furthermore, each step in the manufacturing, distribution, and disposal of single-use plastic products produces greenhouse gas emissions and will increase the current impacts of climate change on the aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. This measure is one step in moving the State toward a carbon neutral economy.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 85, H.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce,

____________________________

MARK M. NAKASHIMA, Chair