Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2003

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committees on Energy and Environment and Transportation, Military Affairs and Government Operations, to which was referred S.B. No. 319 entitled:

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to establish county requirements for food waste recycling by restaurants, food manufacturers or processors, catering establishments, hospitals, schools, and businesses.

Testimony in support of this measure was submitted by the Department of Education, Department of Health, and four individuals. Testimony opposing this measure was submitted by the National Restaurant Association, Wailana Coffee House, LCC, and Gyotaku Restaurants.

Your Committees find that the State must enact viable alternatives to our brimming landfills for the State's waste and refuse. Current programs to recycle glass, paper, plastic, and aluminum have proven successful for this island State where land is finite. Food waste recycling is a solution that prevents ground contamination and potential "NIMBY" (Not In My Backyard) problems, and may cut refuse costs for businesses.

Your Committees have amended this measure by applying the requirements to counties with a population of 500,000 or greater, thereby limiting its effect to the City and County of Honolulu which is the only county that does not have a comprehensive food recycling program currently in place.

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Energy and Environment and Transportation, Military Affairs and Government Operations that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 319, as amended herein, and recommend that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 319, S.D. 1, and be referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.