STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2855

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.B. No. 2842

       S.D. 2

Honorable Colleen Hanabusa

President of the Senate

Twenty-Fourth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2008

State of Hawaii

Madam:

     Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred S.B. No. 2842, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO LIGHTING,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this measure is to work toward the goal of energy self-sufficiency for the State by encouraging the use of energy-efficient lighting.

     More specifically, the measure:

     (1)  Phases out and bans the use of energy-inefficient lighting, especially those products with lead and high mercury content;

     (2)  Establishes a state lighting efficiency standard for general purpose lights;

     (3)  Requires the use of ENERGY STAR labeled lamps in agency buildings and facilities; and

     (4)  Directs the Department of Health to develop a statewide recycling program for recycling mercury-containing compact fluorescent bulbs.

     Testimony in support of this measure was received from the Hawaiian Electric Company.  Testimony opposing the measure was received from the Department of Health.  The Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism submitted comments.

     In recent years, the Legislature has adopted legislation to encourage the use of renewable energy resources and support energy-efficiency initiatives.  Your Committee supports the transition to new and evolving lighting technologies and recognizes the need for a recycling program for mercury-containing compact fluorescent bulbs.  This measure continues the State's effort toward energy self-sufficiency.

     Your Committee amended this measure by:

     (1)  Changing the title of chapter 342J from "Hazardous Waste" to "Hazardous and Universal Waste";

     (2)  Changing the title of section 342J-A to "Universal waste; lighting products.";

     (3)  Designating that the fines collected under this measure be deposited into the environmental management special fund;

     (4)  Authorizing the environmental management special fund to receive fines collected under section 342J-A;

     (5)  Requiring the Director of Health to adopt rules to implement new provisions relating to the hazardous universal waste substance provisions;

     (6)  Clarifying that provisions relating to fines and maximum amounts of fines shall be provided by rules;

     (7)  Appropriating an unspecified amount from the environmental management special fund for the Department of Health to develop a statewide program for recycling mercury-containing compact fluorescent bulbs and making the section effective on July 1, 2008; and

     (8)  Making technical nonsubstantive amendments for the purpose of clarity.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Ways and Means that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2842, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 2842, S.D. 2.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Ways and Means,

____________________________

ROSALYN H. BAKER, Chair