STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3126

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: H.B. No. 1896

H.D. 2

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2024

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Agriculture and Environment, to which was referred H.B. No. 1896, H.D. 2, entitled:

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

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to, beginning January 1, 2027, prohibit the manufacture, sale, offer for sale, distribution for sale, and distribution for use of any food packaging, food service ware, cosmetic, or personal care product that contains intentionally added perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), with certain exceptions.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Health, Honolulu Board of Water Supply, Sierra Club of Hawaiʻi, Hawaiʻi Reef and Ocean Coalition, Climate Protectors Hawaiʻi, Hawaii Environmental Change Agents Water Reduction Task Force, Hawaii Food+ Policy, Beautycounter, and six individuals.

Your Committee received testimony in opposition of this measure from the Retail Merchants of Hawaii.

Your Committee finds that PFAS remain in the environment for long periods of time and that exposure to PFAS has been linked to adverse health outcomes. Recognizing the harm in PFAS, the State prohibited, beginning December 31, 2024, the manufacture, sale, or distribution for sale or use of certain types of food packaging and fire-fighting foam that contain PFAS through Act 152, Session Laws of Hawaii 2022. This measure expands the State's ban on PFAS to protect the environment and human health from their detrimental and toxic effects.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Inserting an effective date of January 1, 2027; and

(2) Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity and consistency.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Agriculture and Environment that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1896, H.D. 2, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1896, H.D. 2, S.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Agriculture and Environment,

________________________________

MIKE GABBARD, Chair