STAND. COM. REP. NO. 27-26

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2026

RE: H.B. No. 2121

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. 2121 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO WASTE MANAGEMENT,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to prohibit the sale, offer for sale, or distribution for sale of any disposable electronic smoking devices in the State beginning January 1, 2027.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Environmental Services of the City and County of Honolulu; Hawaii COPD Coalition; Hawaiʻi Health & Harm Reduction Center; Hawaiʻi Public Health Institute; The Friends of Kamalani & Lydgate Park; Coalition for a Tobacco‑Free Hawaiʻi Youth Council; Lanai Community Health Center; and numerous individuals. Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from Hawaii Smokers Alliance and two individuals. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Health.

Your Committee finds that waste from disposable electronic smoking devices contributes to plastic pollution, landfill fires, and the exposure of toxic chemicals in waterways. Your Committee further finds that federal guidance regarding disposal practices for these devices is lacking, leaving state and local jurisdictions responsible for establishing waste management policies. This measure seeks to lessen plastic pollution in the State and protect the environment by banning the sale of disposable electronic smoking devices.

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. 2121, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 2121, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Health.

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

____________________________

NICOLE E. LOWEN, Chair