STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3450

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.C.R. No. 83

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2026

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committees on Energy and Intergovernmental Affairs and Agriculture and Environment, to which was referred S.C.R. No. 83 entitled:

"SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE CITY AND COUNTY OF HONOLULU TO CONSIDER DEVELOPING A FACILITY TO DISCARD LITHIUM-ION BATTERIES,"

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to request the City and County of Honolulu to consider developing a facility to discard lithium-ion batteries, including but not limited to developing a wet shredding facility in conjunction with the Honolulu Program of Waste Energy Recovery to discard lithium-ion batteries or electric vehicle batteries for end-of-life use.

Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from Climate Protectors Hawaii and Hawaii Natural Energy Institute.

Your Committees received testimony in opposition to this measure from the Department of Environmental Services of the City and County of Honolulu and one individual.

Your Committees find that the improper disposal of rechargeable lithium-ion batteries poses environmental threats to the State's natural resources and creates safety hazards for workers and residents. Due to these dangers, it is critical that government agencies develop a central stewardship structure to establish accessible, safe, and properly managed lithium-ion battery disposal infrastructure at the county level. This measure would help reduce fire risks, protect the environment, and support the responsible management of end-of-life batteries.

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Energy and Intergovernmental Affairs and Agriculture and Environment that are attached to this report, your Committees concur with the intent and purpose of S.C.R. No. 83 and recommend its adoption.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Energy and Intergovernmental Affairs and Agriculture and Environment,

________________________________ MIKE GABBARD, Chair

________________________________ GLENN WAKAI, Chair