Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2006

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred S.B. No. 3182, S.D. 1, entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to impose a phased reduction of methyl tertiary-butyl ether in gasoline sold or imported in the State to levels no greater than .15 volume per cent by January 1, 2009.

Your Committee notes that methyl tertiary-butyl ether is a chemical contained in gasoline that is not presently regulated in the State and has been known to contaminate groundwater resources nationally. The Environmental Protection Agency recommends that the use of methyl tertiary-butyl ether be reduced substantially.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Ways and Means that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 3182, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 3182, S.D. 2.