STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1058-26

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2026

RE: H.B. No. 2121

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 Consumer Protection & Commerce, to which was referred H.B. No. 2121, H.D. 1, entitled:

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

begs leave to report as follows:

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

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Health; Hawaii COPD Coalition; Hawaiʻi Health & Harm Reduction Center; Coalition for a Tobacco-Free Hawaiʻi; Hawaiʻi Children's Action Network Speaks!; Hawaiʻi Public Health Association; Hawaii Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics; Coalition for a Tobacco-Free Hawaiʻi Youth Council; Friends of Kamalani & Lydgate Park; University of Hawaiʻi Student Health Advisory Council; and numerous individuals. Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from the Hawaii Smokers Alliance and two individuals.

Your Committee finds that disposable electronic smoking devices generate significant environmental and public health hazards due to their non-recyclable plastics, toxic chemicals, and lithium-ion batteries, which contribute to pollution, landfill fires, and chemical leaching into waterways. Your Committee also finds that improper disposal of these devices is widespread, with millions discarded nationally each day. Furthermore, there is no standardized or safe method for handling these hazardous components, which intensifies the risks to ecosystems and community health. This measure reduces the harmful waste stream created by disposable electronic smoking devices and helps protect Hawaii's environment and residents from the escalating hazards associated with these products.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Establishing a monetary penalty of an unspecified amount per day for each violation; 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 Consumer Protection & Commerce that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2121, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 2121, H.D. 2.

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

____________________________

SCOT Z. MATAYOSHI, Chair