HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.B. NO.	1546
TWENTY-NINTH LEGISLATURE, 2017
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

Relating to tire disposal.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that the improper disposal of used motor vehicle tires poses environmental, health, and safety concerns.  Tires that are not properly disposed of can be breeding grounds for mosquitos, which are vectors for a variety of infectious diseases that pose a threat to public health in Hawaii, including Dengue fever, Zika virus, West Nile virus, and Chikungunya. Furthermore, improperly disposed of tires can be a fire hazard, are unsightly, and are costly for state or county workers to properly dispose of.

     The legislature also finds that the proper disposal of tires requires the payment of a fee, and tires can only be turned in at approved facilities.  The resulting inconvenience and expense leads to tires being improperly disposed of, abandoned, or illegally dumped.

     The purpose of this Act is to encourage proper disposal of used motor vehicle tires by requiring tire retailers to collect a refundable deposit for each motor vehicle tire sale.

     SECTION 2.  Section 342I-23, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by amending subsections (a) and (b) to read as follows:

     "(a)  Each tire retailer shall:

     (1)  Accept, at the point of transfer, in a quantity at least equal to the number of new motor vehicle tires purchased by a customer, motor vehicle tires offered by the customer[.];

(2) Collect a tire disposal deposit, in the amount of $50, for each tire sold; provided that the deposit shall be refunded to the purchaser of the tire upon return to the tire retailer for proper disposal; and

    [(2)] (3)  Post written notice, which shall be at least five inches by seven inches in size and easily visible to customers and shall contain the universal recycling symbol and the following language:

         (A)  "It is illegal to discard a motor vehicle tire";

         (B)  "Recycle your used tires";

         (C)  "State law requires us to accept used motor vehicle tires for recycling or disposal, in exchange for new tires purchased"; and

         (D)  "The final price of a new tire includes a fee for disposal of your old tire[.] and a tire disposal deposit.  The disposal fee is not subject to reduction or refund[."], while the tire disposal deposit is subject to refund."

     (b)  The department of health shall produce, print, and distribute the notices required by subsection [(a)(2)] (a)(3) to each retailer; provided that a retailer instead may use any sign or notice that meets the requirements of that subsection."

     SECTION 3.  This Act does not affect rights and duties that matured, penalties that were incurred, and proceedings that were begun before its effective date.

     SECTION 4.  Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 5.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2017.

INTRODUCED BY:

_____________________________

Report Title:

Motor Vehicle Tires; Tire Retailers; Tire Disposal Deposit

Description:

Requires motor vehicle tire retailers to collect a refundable tire disposal deposit for each tire sold.

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.