STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3135
Honolulu, Hawaii
RE: H.B. No. 1948
H.D. 2
S.D. 1
Honorable Robert Bunda
President of the Senate
Twenty-Third State Legislature
Regular Session of 2006
State of Hawaii
Sir:
Your Committees on Energy, Environment, and International Affairs and Commerce, Consumer Protection, and Housing, to which was referred H.B. No. 1948, H.D. 2, entitled:
"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT,"
beg leave to report as follows:
The purpose of this measure is to increase the volume limit of deposit beverage containers from sixty-four to sixty-eight fluid ounces, and require distributors to report container numbers sold and make fee payments on that basis.
The measure also specifies redemption center operating hours, permits calculation of redemption value by container count in certain instances, and allows for the refusal of previously processed and baled containers for refund.
The Department of Health, Sierra Club Hawaii Chapter, Reynolds Recycling, and Windward Ahupua`a Alliance submitted testimony in support of this measure. GMA-the Association of Food, Beverage and Consumer Products Companies and the Hawaii Food Industry Association submitted testimony in opposition.
As noted by Sierra Club Hawaii Chapter, Hawaii's bottle law has proven to be an overwhelming success for Hawaii's environment, with over half a billion bottles and cans being diverted from Hawaii's landfills. The initiative has reduced litter, created employment, and provided fundraising opportunities for schools and charities. Your Committees find that there is no reason why larger containers should not also be included in the deposit beverage container program.
Your Committees agree with Sierra Club Hawaii Chapter that the cumbersome redemption process that many consumers currently complain about can be resolved by requiring dealers to provide redemption to consumers. The dealers can decide whether to subcontract with a certified redemption center to operate on the dealer's premises or provide a reverse vending machine pursuant to section 342G-115, Hawaii Revised Statutes (HRS).
Your Committees amended this measure by:
(1) Retaining the amendment to the definition of "deposit beverage container" under section 342G-101, HRS, to include a container that is less than or equal to sixty-eight fluid ounces, and deleting all other provisions;
(2) Deleting the exception from the redemption of empty deposit beverage containers as it applies to dealers in high-density population areas under section 342G-113, HRS,
(3) Deleting subsection 342G-113(d), HRS, on location of redemption centers for consistency;
(4) Defecting the effective date to July 1, 2050, to encourage further discussion; and
(5) Making technical, non-substantive amendments for clarity, consistency, and style.
As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Energy, Environment, and International Affairs and Commerce, Consumer Protection, and Housing that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1948, H.D. 2, as amended herein, and recommend that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1948, 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 Committees on Energy, Environment, and International Affairs and Commerce, Consumer Protection, and Housing,
|
____________________________ RON MENOR, Chair |
____________________________ J. KALANI ENGLISH, Chair |
|