STAND. COM. REP. NO. 11-26

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2026

RE: H.B. No. 1569

H.D. 1

Honorable Nadine K. Nakamura

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2026

State of Hawaii

Madame:

Your Committee on Energy & Environmental Protection, to which was referred H.B. No. 1569 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE ENVIRONMENT,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to:

(1) Phase in requirements that all newly manufactured washing machines sold within the State be equipped with a microfiber filtration system by January 1, 2042;

(2) Require manufacturers of newly manufactured washing machines to provide certification to the Department of Health that the manufacturer is in compliance with microfiber filtration system requirements; and

(3) Establish penalties.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Hawaiʻi Reef and Ocean Coalition; Ocean Conservancy; and one individual. Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Health.

Your Committee finds that microfiber pollution poses a serious threat to the environment and public health. Your Committee further finds that clothes washing is a major source of microfibers entering the environment, with a single load of laundry releasing millions of microfibers. Your Committee recognizes that washing machines equipped with microfiber filters can help mitigate pollution, as studies show that these filters can capture about ninety percent of microplastic fibers from laundry. This measure seeks to limit microfiber pollution by phasing in requirements for newly manufactured washing machines to be equipped with microfiber filtration systems.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

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

(2) 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. 1569, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1569, 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