STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1134-26

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2026

RE: H.B. No. 1948

H.D. 2

Honorable Nadine K. Nakamura

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2026

State of Hawaii

Madame:

Your Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs, to which was referred H.B. No. 1948, H.D. 1, 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 in the State from providing small plastic containers of personal care products 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 one member of the Hawaiʻi County Council; Solid Waste Reduction Task Force of Hawaii Environmental Change Agents; Sustainable Coastlines Hawaiʻi; Global Preservation Initiative; Surfrider Foundation Hawaiʻi Region; Starn O'Toole Marcus & Fischer, A Law Corporation; Hawaiʻi Hotel Alliance; Hawaii Youth Climate Coalition; and numerous individuals. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Land and Natural Resources; Department of Health; Maui Chamber of Commerce; and Hawaiʻi Lodging & Tourism Association.

Your Committee finds that single-use plastic containers contribute substantially to environmental pollution and the accumulation of microplastics that threaten natural resources and public health. Your Committee further finds that prohibiting the use of small plastic containers for personal care products in lodging establishments, while allowing reasonable alternatives and phased implementation, advances the State's sustainability goals and supports responsible tourism practices.

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 Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1948, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1948, H.D. 2.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs,

____________________________

DAVID A. TARNAS, Chair