STAND. COM. REP. NO.  618

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2017

RE:   H.B. No. 818

      H.D. 2

Honorable Joseph M. Souki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Ninth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2017

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Ocean, Marine Resources, & Hawaiian Affairs, to which was referred H.B. No. 818, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO OXYBENZONE,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to require advertisements or displays for sunscreen containing oxybenzone in the State to include a conspicuously displayed statement that the sunscreen product contains chemicals which may harm coral reefs.

The Department of Health, Office of Hawaiian Affairs, League of Women Voters, Conservation Council for Hawaii, The Nature Conservancy of Hawaii, and several individuals testified in support of this measure.  The Hawaii Food Industry Association, Consumer Healthcare Products Association, and two individuals testified in opposition to this measure.  The Department of Land and Natural Resources and Sierra Club of Hawaii commented on this measure.

     Your Committee has amended this measure by:

     (1)  Removing the requirement that advertisements or displays for sunscreen containing oxybenzone must include a conspicuous statement that the product contains chemicals which may harm coral reefs;

     (2)  Banning the sale, offer for sale, or distribution for sale of sunscreen or personal care products containing oxybenzone;

     (3)  Changing its effective date to July 1, 2018; and

     (4)  Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for clarity, consistency, and style.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Ocean, Marine Resources, & Hawaiian Affairs that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 818, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 818, H.D. 2.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Ocean, Marine Resources, & Hawaiian Affairs,

____________________________

KANIELA ING, Chair