STAND. COM. REP. NO. 999

                                   Honolulu, Hawaii
                                                     , 1999

                                   RE:  H.B. No. 842
                                        H.D. 2
                                        S.D. 1




Honorable Norman Mizuguchi
President of the Senate
Twentieth State Legislature
Regular Session of 1999
State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Labor and Environment, to which was
referred H.B. No. 842, H.D. 2, entitled: 

     "A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO GLASS CONTAINER RECOVERIES,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this measure is to exempt small empty
imported glass containers from the advanced disposal fee.

     The glass containers must be designed to hold not more than
two and one-half fluid ounces of a product meant for human
consumption.  The measure also corrects a typographical error in
the amount of the fee.

     Testimony in support of this measure was received from the
Hawaii Food Industry Association, Hawaiian Fruit Specialties,
Ltd., and an individual.  The Department of Health testified in
support of the measure with reservations.  Sierra Club, Hawaii
Chapter testified in opposition to the measure.

     Your Committee finds that the exemption provided for in this
measure provides some relief for small businesses in Hawaii.  The
exemption is for empty glass containers which will be used by
food processors in the State.  According to the testimony of the
Hawaii Food Industry Association the estimated cost to the fund
will be less than $10,000 annually.


 
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                                   STAND. COM. REP. NO. 999
                                   Page 2


     Your Committee has amended this measure by changing the
effective date to October 1, 1999 in order to allow for improved
communication and recordkeeping.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your
Committee on Labor and Environment that is attached to this
report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose
of H.B. No. 842, H.D. 2, as amended herein, and recommends that
it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B.
No. 842, H.D. 2, S.D. 1, and be referred to the Committee on Ways
and Means.

                                   Respectfully submitted on
                                   behalf of the members of the
                                   Committee on Labor and
                                   Environment,



                                   ______________________________
                                   BOB NAKATA, Chair

 
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