STAND. COM. REP. NO. 772

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2023

RE: H.B. No. 748

H.D. 2

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. 748, H.D. 1, entitled:

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

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to, beginning December 31, 2026, 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 perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, with certain exceptions.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Health, Our Revolution Hawaii, Climate Protectors Hawai‘i, Hawaii Reef & Ocean Coalition, and six individuals. Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from the Personal Care Products Council, Chamber of Sustainable Commerce, and American Chemistry Council. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Maui Chamber of Commerce.

Your Committee finds that the Legislature enacted Act 152, Session Laws of Hawaii 2022, to prohibit, beginning July 1, 2024, the manufacture, sale, and distribution of food packaging and class B firefighting foam containing intentionally introduced perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, also known as PFAS or forever chemicals. However, in light of the November 2022 spill of approximately one thousand one hundred gallons of firefighting foam containing PFAS at the Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility, your Committee believes that further action is needed to prevent future releases of these substances into the environment and drinking water sources. This measure will further protect residents against toxic chemicals by expanding the range of PFAS-containing consumer products subject to the prohibition.

Your Committee has amended this measure by 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 Consumer Protection & Commerce that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 748, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Finance in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 748, H.D. 2.

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

____________________________

MARK M. NAKASHIMA, Chair