Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2003

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Energy and Environment, to which was referred S.B. No. 1611 entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to provide a waiver application process for dealers required to operate bottle redemption centers.

Testimony supporting this measure was submitted by Life of the Land and Hawaii Food Industry Association. The Department of Health, The Pepsi Bottling Group, Coca-Cola Bottling Company of Hawaii, and Retail Merchants of Hawaii submitted testimony supporting the intent of this measure.

Your Committee finds that this measure attempts to lessen the burden of Act 176, Session Laws of 2002, better known as the "Bottle Bill", placed on Hawaii's retail industry by allowing for a waiver based on a less costly or more efficient plan for redemption of empty beverage containers. The measure requires the Department of Health to establish criteria to obtain such a waiver.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Energy and Environment that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 1611 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be placed on the calendar for Third Reading.