STAND. COM. REP. NO.  1537-08

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2008

RE:   H.R. No. 160

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.R. No. 160 entitled:

"HOUSE RESOLUTION REQUESTING COUNTIES TO DEVELOP AND IMPLEMENT PROGRAMS TO ENCOURAGE RETAILERS TO INCREASE THE USE OF ENVIRONMENTALLY PREFERABLE ALTERNATIVES TO NON-BIODEGRADABLE PLASTIC BAGS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this resolution is to request the counties to develop and implement programs to encourage retailers to increase the use of environmentally preferable alternatives to non-biodegrable plastic bags, such as compostable or reusable bags.

     A member of the Maui County Council, Windward Ahupuaa Alliance, Beach Environmental Awareness Campaign Hawaii, Styrophobia LLC, and several concerned individuals testified in support of this resolution.  The Retail Merchants of Hawaii, Progressive Bag Affiliates of the American Chemistry Council, and the Hawaii Food Industry Association opposed this measure.  A concerned individual provided comments.

     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 concurs with the intent and purpose of H.R. No. 160 and recommends that it be referred to the Committee on Economic Development & Business Concerns.

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

____________________________

HERMINA MORITA, Chair