STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2183

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.B. No. 2158

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Twenty-Eighth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2016

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Government Operations, to which was referred S.B. No. 2158 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO PROCUREMENT,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to prohibit the expenditure of state funds by state agencies for the purchase of single-serving bottled water, except under certain circumstances.

     Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from the International Bottled Water Association.

     Your Committee finds that the prohibition of the expenditure of state funds by state agencies for the purchase of single-serving bottled water, except in emergency or natural disaster situations, will reduce the use of plastic water bottles in the State.  Your Committee recognizes that the prohibition does not include the procurement of five-gallon water bottles or coolers that are often seen in dispensers.  The implementation of this measure will reduce the production of waste and decrease the use of disposable plastics in the State.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Government Operations that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2158 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Government Operations,

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DONNA MERCADO KIM, Chair