STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2398

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.B. No. 2823

Honorable Shan S. Tsutsui

President of the Senate

Twenty-Sixth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2012

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Energy and Environment, to which was referred S.B. No. 2823 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO SOLID WASTE,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to:

     (1)  Increase the solid waste management surcharge; and

     (2)  Clarify that the solid waste management surcharge applies to solid waste shipped outside the State for disposal and solid waste disposed of at waste-to-energy facilities.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Health.  Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from the General Contractors Association of Hawaii.  Your Committee received comments on this measure from Schnitzer Steel Hawaii Corp.

     Your Committee finds that the existing solid waste management surcharge is the main funding source for the Department of Health's solid waste regulatory program.  Your Committee further finds that the operating costs for the solid waste management program have steadily increased over the years.  The amendments proposed by this measure will help the Department of Health address the changing waste management field and provide continued funding for the solid waste management program.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Energy and Environment that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2823 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Energy and Environment,

____________________________

MIKE GABBARD, Chair