STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2206

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.B. No. 2571

       S.D. 1

Honorable Colleen Hanabusa

President of the Senate

Twenty-Fourth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2008

State of Hawaii

Madam:

     Your Committees on Education and Energy and Environment, to which was referred S.B. No. 2571 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO FOOD WASTE RECYCLING,"

beg leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this measure is to require the Department of Education, in a partnership with the Department of Health, to establish a three-year food waste recycling pilot project within public school districts.

     This measure also appropriates funds from the Environmental Management Special Fund for the pilot project.

     Testimony in support of the measure was submitted by the Department of Education, Eco Feed, Inc., and one individual.  Testimony in opposition to the measure was submitted by the Department of Health.

     Your Committees find that environmental problems like global warming, hazardous waste disposal, loss of rain forests, acid rain, and the depletion of the ozone layer can seem insurmountable.  However, state initiatives to help to address these problems can make a difference.  Currently, waste disposal reduction is an issue of critical importance in this State.  Waste reduction efforts, such as waste recycling, can make a difference not only throughout the State, but around the world by helping to preserve natural resources, saving energy, and adding value to our economy. 

     Waste recycling efforts, including food waste recycling, in the State should begin with the State serving as an example for the public at large, as well as businesses in the private sector.  Public schools are a large contributor of food waste in Hawaii.  Food waste recycling in Hawaii's public schools could positively impact our environment and reduce the schools' garbage bills.  This measure establishes a three-year food waste recycling pilot project in one or more school districts in the State.

     Your Committees received testimony which indicates that the current mandates imposed upon the Department of Health are already overtaxing the Environmental Management Special Fund.  The addition of this pilot project may prove costly and overly burdensome.  Your Committees believe in the merits of this measure, but are mindful of the Department of Health's concerns.

     Accordingly, your Committees have amended this measure by:

     (1)  Requiring the Department of Education, in partnership with the Department of Health, to establish a three-year food waste recycling pilot project in one or more schools, rather than one or more school districts;

     (2)  Specifying that the Act shall be repealed on June 30, 2011; and

     (3)  Making a technical, nonsubstantive change for purposes of clarity and style.

     As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Education and Energy and Environment that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2571, as amended herein, and recommend that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 2571, S.D. 1, and be referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Education and Energy and Environment,

____________________________ RON MENOR, Chair

____________________________ NORMAN SAKAMOTO, Chair