STAND. COM. REP. NO.  1120-08

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2008

RE:   S.B. No. 2843

      S.D. 2

      H.D. 1

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 S.B. No. 2843, S.D. 2, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO ELECTRONIC DEVICE RECYCLING,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this measure is to encourage the recycling of electronic devices in Hawaii by establishing a program within the Department of Health to collect and recycle electronic devices.

     Specifically this measure:

(1)  Allows electronic device manufacturers to implement their own collection and recycling programs, subject to approval by the Department of Health;

(2)  Establishes a monitoring and enforcement program to ensure compliance with the electronic device recycling program;

(3)  Funds the electronic device recycling program through the environmental management fund; and

(4)  Bans disposal of discarded electronic devices in solid waste facilities in the State beginning January 1, 2011.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the University of Hawaii, Kauai County Department of Public Works, City and County of Honolulu Department of Environmental Services, Retail Merchants of Hawaii, and the Sierra Club.  Comments on this measure were submitted by the Department of Health, Thomson, Inc., Tax Foundation of Hawaii, Hewlett Packard Company, and Covanta Energy Group.  The Information Technology Industry Council submitted testimony opposing this measure.

     Your Committee finds that a mandatory recycling program for computers, televisions, and other electronic devices would have a significant impact on reducing the amount of solid waste in Hawaii's waste stream and landfills.  Since many of these devices contain potentially toxic materials, removing them from landfills greatly reduces the chances that these materials will leach into the soil and groundwater.  In addition, recycling electronic devices would result in the reuse of many valuable components and materials that are found in these devices.

     Upon further consideration, your Committee has replaced the contents of this measure with those in House Bill No. 2509 in order to preserve the intent of the bill to institute an electronic device recycling program that is compatible with programs being developed by national electronic device manufacturers.  Your Committee believes that it will be less burdensome for businesses and taxpayers in Hawaii if the State's electronic device recycling practices conform more closely to a national standard.  In addition, adherence to a national standard will help facilitate business between manufacturers of electronic devices and businesses in Hawaii, thereby making it easier to return products from Hawaii for disposal on the mainland.

     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 S.B. No. 2843, S.D. 2, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 2843, S.D. 2, H.D. 1, and 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