STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2476

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 2720

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirtieth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2020

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committees on Agriculture and Environment and Government Operations, to which was referred S.B. No. 2720 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO PROCUREMENT,"

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to prohibit state agencies from using state funds for the purchase of beverages in plastic bottles or rigid plastic containers, with limited exceptions.

Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Land and Natural Resources, Department of Education, and two individuals. Your Committees received testimony in opposition to this measure from the Hawaii Food Industry Association, International Bottled Water Association, American Chemistry Council, Plastics Industry Association, and one individual. Your Committees received comments on this measure from the State Procurement Office.

Your Committees find that plastic bottles are not sustainable and their use by state agencies is in conflict with the State's sustainability goals. Plastic bottles use vast quantities of fossil fuels and water; leave a large carbon footprint as they are manufactured, filled, shipped, and sold around the world; and are not biodegradable in any meaningful way. Additionally, bottled beverages are often more costly than alternative options. Your Committees recognize that there are situations in which beverages in plastic bottles are necessary for health and safety. This measure seeks to ensure that state funds are not expended for the purchase of beverages in plastic or rigid plastic containers except under limited circumstances.

Your Committees have amended this measure by:

(1) Moving the proposed language from chapter 103D, Hawaii Revised Statutes, relating to the State procurement Code, to chapter 342H, Hawaii Revised Statutes, relating to Solid Waste Pollution; and

(2) Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity and consistency.

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Agriculture and Environment and Government Operations that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2720, as amended herein, and recommend that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 2720, S.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Agriculture and Environment and Government Operations,

________________________________ LAURA H. THIELEN, Chair

________________________________ MIKE GABBARD, Chair