STAND. COM. REP. NO. 749

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 506

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2023

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection, to which was referred S.B. No. 506 entitled:

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

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to require self-service stations to put labels on gas dispensing equipment that advise consumers on the effects of fossil fuel consumption to human health and the environment.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Hawai‘i Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Commission, Hawaii State Energy Office, Climate Protectors Hawai‘i, Green Mobilists Sweden, and eight individuals. Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from the Hawaii Energy Marketers Association and four individuals. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Public Utilities Commission.

Your Committee finds that Hawaii is particularly vulnerable to the effects of climate change. Accordingly, the State has established certain renewable energy goals to decrease the harmful effects of burning fossil fuels. Burning gasoline, diesel, and ethanol fuel also has major consequences on human health and the environment, including its contribution to climate change, and has been shown to lead to respiratory disorders and other negative health outcomes. This measure would require warning labels at fuel pumping stations to educate consumers of these negative impacts and help protect consumers and raise awareness as to how individual behavior can impact the climate, the environment, and public health.

Your Committee has amended this measure by inserting an effective date of July 1, 2050, to encourage further discussion.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 506, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 506, S.D. 1.

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

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JARRETT KEOHOKALOLE, Chair