Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2004

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committees on Energy and Environment and Health, to which was referred H.C.R. No. 245, H.D. 1, entitled:

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to request the Hawaii Food Industry Association and Hawaii Retailers Association to report to the 2005 Legislature on the status of backhauling packaging, crating, insulation, pallets, and other accommodating materials used for shipping.

Testimony in support of the measure was submitted by the Department of Health and Department of Environmental Management of the County of Hawaii. Testimony in opposition was received from the Hawaii Food Industry Association.

Your Committees believe that backhauling of packaging, crating, insulation, pallets, and other materials used for shipping is an effective means of reducing some of the flow of solid wastes into the State's landfills. Your Committees further believe that large "big box" retailers and wholesalers are in the best position to absorb the cost of backhauling and should do so as model corporate citizens. Your Committees also believe that the Department of Health is the appropriate entity that should determine whether backhauling by those retailers and wholesalers is feasible or should be required.

Accordingly, your Committees have amended this measure by replacing its title and contents with the language from Senate Bill No. 180, S.D. 1, that requests the Department of Health to work with the Hawaii Food Industry Association to determine the feasibility of requiring large "big box" retailers and wholesalers to backhaul packaging, crating, insulation, pallets, and other accommodating materials used for shipping, including:

to report its findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, to the 2005 Legislature.

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Energy and Environment and Health that are attached to this report, your Committees concur with the intent and purpose of H.C.R. No. 245, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommend its adoption in the form attached hereto as H.C.R. No. 245, H.D. 1, S.D. 1.