STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2391

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.B. No. 2774

       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. 2774 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION,"

beg leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this measure is to establish a task force within the Department of Education to conduct an analysis into the creation of a comprehensive school recycling program and appropriates funds therefor.

     Testimony in support of the measure was submitted by six students.  Testimony in opposition of the measure was submitted by the Department of Education.

     Your Committees find that environmental issues are at the forefront of our global community.  In Hawaii, landfill overflow is a problem for every county, and, as a result, every citizen.  All individuals need to make efforts to reduce our carbon footprints, and the State can take a proactive approach to setting an example for private businesses and residents throughout the State.  Your Committees find that the State and the counties have undertaken various initiatives and projects addressing these concerns, including but not limited to the institution of recycling through the Deposit Beverage Container Program and curbside recycling.

     Your Committees find that public schools in Hawaii produce an estimated one-half-pound of waste per student per school day.  The reduction of such waste can make a difference.  This measure establishes a task force to evaluate available options for developing a recycling program in the public schools.  Your Committees determine that the establishment of a statewide recycling program for public schools would help to reduce the waste produced, provide a savings to the State, help the environment, as well as teach our students a valuable lesson in responsible citizenship.

     Your Committees are mindful of the Department of Education's concerns regarding maintaining focus on issues and priorities of the Department and the public school system.  The University of Hawaii, College of Social Services Public Policy Center has indicated a commitment to exploring this issue and providing necessary support, regardless of funding, to help in establishing recycling programs in public schools.  Additionally, your Committees believe that student representation is essential to the development of a recycling program in which students will be able and enthusiastic to participate.

     Accordingly, your Committees have amended the measure by:

     (1)  Specifying that the task force's comprehensive evaluation of the recycling options available to schools include examination of the use of reverse vending machines and the feasibility of providing recycling bins in public schools;

     (2)  Moving the task force from the Department of Education to the University of Hawaii at Manoa, College of Social Sciences Public Policy Center;

     (3)  Authorizing the Dean of the College of Social Sciences to appoint task force members based on lists of candidates submitted by the Department of Education, the Board of Education, and the Hawaii State Student Council, with at least two members being students; and

     (4)  Making technical, nonsubstantive changes 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. 2774, as amended herein, and recommend that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 2774, 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