STAND. COM. REP. NO.  475

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2007

RE:   H.B. No. 1805

      H.D. 1

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Fourth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2007

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Energy & Environmental Protection, to which was referred H.B. No. 1805 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO SPECIAL WASTES DISPOSAL AND RECYCLING,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this measure is to require a refundable $50 deposit on each new lead acid battery sold in the State.

     Your Committee acknowledges that improper disposal of used lead acid batteries is an ongoing problem, especially where dealers are unwilling to accept them for disposal.  Your Committee believes that there is a need for a financial incentive to encourage buyers to recycle used batteries and to encourage dealers to accept them.  Your Committee finds that a deposit on each new lead acid battery, to be refunded on exchange of a used lead acid battery, will encourage recycling of batteries and reduce the amount of hazardous wastes in Hawaii's landfills.  However, the Committee believes that a $50 deposit amount is too high.

Accordingly, your Committee has amended this measure to remove the $50 deposit amount and has left the amount unspecified to facilitate further discussion.  Your Committee has also made a technical nonsubstantive amendment for purpose of clarity.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Energy & Environmental Protection that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1805, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1805, H.D. 1, and be referred to the Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Energy & Environmental Protection,

____________________________

HERMINA MORITA, Chair