STAND. COM. REP. NO. 394-24

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2024

RE: H.B. No. 1897

H.D. 1

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2024

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Energy & Environmental Protection, to which was referred H.B. No. 1897 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 small plastic containers containing a personal care product to any person staying in a sleeping room accommodation, in any space within the sleeping room accommodation, or in any bathroom used by the public or guests.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Hawaiʻi Climate Change Mitigation and Adaption Commission; PlanIt Branding; Hawaii Reef and Ocean Coalition; Hawaii Environmental Change Agents Solid Waste Task Force; Maui Hotel & Lodging Association; Hawaiʻi Lodging & Tourism Association; and numerous individuals. Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from the Plastics Industry Association and two individuals. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Health and Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority.

Your Committee finds that single-use plastics are made from fossil fuel-based petrochemicals and end up in landfills, incinerators, or the environment after disposal. Your Committee further finds that lodging establishments frequently provide complimentary personal care products packaged in single-use plastic containers. This measure would prohibit lodging establishments from providing these containers to any person staying in a sleeping room accommodation, in any space within the sleeping room accommodation, or in any bathroom used by the public or guests.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Amending the definition of "personal care product";

(2) Changing the effective date to July 1, 3000, to encourage further discussion; and

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

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Energy & Environmental Protection that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1897, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1897, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Energy & Environmental Protection,

____________________________

NICOLE E. LOWEN, Chair