Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2005

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committees on Energy, Environment, and International Affairs and Media, Arts, Science, and Technology, to which was referred S.B. No. 1004 entitled:

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to establish a task force to address the problem of management of computer and other electronic solid wastes statewide.

Testimony in support of the measure was received from Covanta Energy Group. The Department of Health provided testimony supporting the intent of the measure and offered comments.

Your Committees find that computers, televisions, and many other electronic products contain hazardous materials that, when introduced into the environment through disposal, may pose a health threat to humans and contaminate the environment. As more electronic and computer products become obsolete, the amount of discarded electronic materials will amplify the health and safety concerns.

Your Committees have amended the measure to include three additional individuals to serve on the Electronic Waste Task Force. These individuals shall be representatives from companies in the computer manufacturing and distribution industry, such as IBM Corporation, Dell, Inc., and Apple Computer, Inc. Your Committees believe that the computer industry can bring a needed perspective on its products and can assist in bringing about solutions to electronic waste concerns.

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Energy, Environment, and International Affairs and Media, Arts, Science, and Technology that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 1004, as amended herein, and recommend that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 1004, S.D. 1, and be referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.