THE SENATE	S.B. NO.	748
THIRTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2023
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

relating to environmental protection.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that the use of chemical-based sunscreen is detrimental to the health of Hawai‘i's coral reef ecosystems. The National Ocean Service finds that the chemicals in both lotion and aerosol sunscreens can impair the growth of plants, stunt, and deform animals, and contribute to the bleaching of coral. In 2018, the legislature passed Senate Bill No. 2571, S.D. 2, H.D. 2, C.D. 1, signed into law as Act 104, that bans the sale, offer for sale, or distribution in the State of any sunscreen that contains oxybenzone or octinoxate, or both, without a medically-licensed prescription. Recently, there have been additional efforts to expand the ban to include more chemicals, such as avobenzone and octocrylene, that negatively impact Hawai‘i's fragile coral reefs. However, opponents have expressed concerns with limited stock of approved sunscreens available on island for consumers, which has halted efforts to further protect Hawai‘i's coral reefs.

The legislature further finds that an alternative mineral-based sunscreen exists that protects consumers from skin cancer and does not harm the reef ecosystems. The first dispenser of this sunscreen in a Hawai‘i state park was established in November 2021 at the Waialae section of Hāpuna state recreation area on the west coast of Hawai‘i island. The legislature also finds that the deployment of sunscreen dispensers at state beaches will ease the burden of securing reef-safe sunscreens for use by residents and visitors alike, as well as further protect Hawai‘i's coral reef ecosystems.

The purpose of this Act is to:

(1) Expand the use of the mineral-based sunscreen dispensers to all state beaches to decrease the amount of chemicals impacting Hawai‘i's reef ecosystems; and

(2) Authorize the department of land and natural resources to contract with private parties, such as hotels, community organizations, and nonprofit organizations with an environmental protection mission, to assist in the maintenance and management of installed mineral‑based sunscreen dispensers at state beaches.

SECTION 2. The department of land and natural resources may contract with private parties, including hotels, community organization, and nonprofit organization with an environmental protection mission, to assist in the maintenance, management, and operation of installed mineral-based sunscreen dispensers at all state beaches.

SECTION 3. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $          or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2023-2024 and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2024-2025 for the department of land and natural resources to install, maintain, manage, and operate mineral-based sunscreen dispensers at all state beaches.

The sums appropriated shall be expended by the department of land and natural resources for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2023.

INTRODUCED BY:

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Report Title:

Non-Chemical Sunscreen Dispensers; Department of Land and Natural Resources; State Beaches; Appropriation

Description:

Appropriates funds for the construction and operation of non-chemical sunscreen dispensers on all state beaches to alleviate the damaging effects of chemical-based sunscreen on reef ecosystems. Allows the Department of Land and Natural Resources to contract with private parties to assist with the maintenance and management of sunscreen dispensers at all state beaches.

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.