STAND. COM. REP. NO.  33-08

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2008

RE:   H.B. No. 2508

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Fourth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2008

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Energy & Environmental Protection, to which was referred H.B. No. 2508 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE DEPOSIT BEVERAGE CONTAINER PROGRAM,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of the bill is to encourage recycling of beverage containers by increasing the opportunities and convenience for consumers who participate in the deposit beverage container program.

     Specifically, the bill requires all retail beverage dealers having more than seventy-five thousand feet of interior retail space to operate beverage container redemption centers and to accept properly marked empty deposit beverage containers.

     Testimony in support of this bill was received from the City and County of Honolulu Department of Environmental Services, a Councilmember of the Hawai‘i County Council, and the Windward Ahupua‘a Alliance.  Testimony opposing this bill was received from the Hawaii Food Industry Association and the Retail Merchants of Hawaii.  The Department of Health supported the intent of the bill.

     Your Committee supports efforts to increase recycling and divert waste from landfill.  The success of the deposit beverage container recycling program depends on establishing conveniently located redemption centers.  While some financial costs are associated with this legislation, the preservation of our State's land and natural resources is priceless.

     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. 2508 and recommends that it pass Second Reading 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