HB2420

SECTION 1. The litter control office, established by Chapter 339, Hawaii Revised Statutes, existed from 1977 until 1996, when it was administratively closed due to budgetary constraints. The legislature finds that the office provided a critical, necessary, and strategic service to the public in serving as the focal point to plan, coordinate, and implement litter control efforts in the State.

The legislature also finds that the litter control office was very successful in its efforts to clean up litter, prevent littering, and educate the public through an anti-litter campaign. Among its accomplishments were:

(1) A statewide recycling campaign, including a fundraising program from private businesses;

(2) An annual statewide litter prevention and clean up campaign; partnerships and involvement of volunteers from civic and community organizations;

(3) A statewide training program for volunteers;

(4) A statewide litter hotline and complaint resolution for litter hotspots;

(5) An abandoned vehicle and appliances removal program; fundraising from private foundations, organizations and individuals;

(6) Establishment of service learning and education programs in schools and youth organizations;

(7) Annual statewide shoreline and coastal clean ups; and

(8) The creation of the nonprofit, section 501(c)(3) federal tax-exempt organization, the Community Work Day Program.

The litter control office, like the Community Work Day Program, was part of the national Keep America Beautiful program, which partners with business, government, and the community to create successful education and action-oriented programs for island-wide clean up projects, roadside beautification programs; anti-pollution of the ocean and streams and disease prevention efforts; and other clean environment and community revitalization initiatives, such as the Ala Wai Canal clean up and the renovation and reuse of the old Maui High School. All of these projects are made possible by volunteers and in-kind donations coordinated and supported by the Community Work Day Program staff.

The purpose of this Act is to facilitate anti-litter and recycling education projects.

SECTION 2. Section 339-1, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by amending the definition of "director" to read as follows:

""Director" means the director of [~~the department of~~] health."

SECTION 3. Section 339-3, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by amending subsection (a) to read as follows:

"(a) The director shall:

(1) Be responsible for the study of available research in the field of litter control, prevention, removal, disposal, and recycling; the study of methods for the implementation of such research; and development of public educational programs;

(2) Serve as a coordinator between the State, state agencies, and various organizations seeking to aid in the anti-litter effort;

(3) Cooperate with local governments to accomplish the coordination of anti-litter efforts; [~~and~~]

(4) Encourage voluntary local anti-litter campaigns[.]; and

(5) Delegate to agencies and programs designated by the office of community services, the functions deemed appropriate pursuant to paragraphs (1), (2), (3), and (4) for the purposes of implementing the director's duties under this section."

SECTION 4. Chapter 371K, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

"§371K- Anti-litter and recycling education demonstration projects special fund. (a) There is established an anti-litter and recycling education demonstration projects special fund into which shall be deposited appropriations by the legislature, gifts, and other donated funds. The fund shall be administered by the office of community services.

(b) All interest earned or accrued on moneys deposited in the fund shall become part of the fund. Subject to legislative authorization, the office of community services may expend moneys from the fund for anti-litter and recycling education demonstration projects."

SECTION 5. There is appropriated out of the beverage container deposit special fund the sum of $500,000 or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2008-2009 for deposit into the anti-litter and recycling education projects special fund established pursuant to section 4 of this Act.

SECTION 6. There is appropriated out of the anti-litter and recycling education projects special fund the sum of $500,000 or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2008-2009 for anti-litter and recycling education projects.

The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of labor and industrial relations as a grant-in-aid to the Community Work Day Program for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 7. Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken. New statutory material is underscored.

SECTION 8. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2008.

INTRODUCED BY:	_____________________________

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.B. NO.	2420
TWENTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE, 2008
STATE OF HAWAII