STAND. COM. REP. NO. 987
Honolulu, Hawaii
H.D. 1
S.D. 1
President of the Senate
Thirty-First State Legislature
State of Hawaii
Sir:
Your Committee on Agriculture and Environment, to which was referred H.B. No. 1102, H.D. 1, entitled:
"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO LITTER CONTROL,"
begs leave to report as follows:
The purpose and intent of this measure is to prohibit the intentional release of balloons inflated with a gas that is lighter than air.
Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Land and Natural Resources – Division of Aquatic Resources, Hawai‘i Reef and Ocean Coalition, Animal Rights Hawai‘i, For the Fishes, Surfrider Foundation O‘ahu Chapter, Beach Environmental Awareness Campaign Hawaii (B.E.A.C.H.), Hawai‘i Wildlife Fund, The Humane Society of the United States, six individuals, and a petition signed by over fifteen hundred individuals.
Your Committee finds that the release of balloons inflated with lighter-than-air gases poses a danger and nuisance to the environment, particularly to wildlife and marine animals. Many animals are attracted to the bright colors of balloons and mistake them for food, which can cause an animal severe injury or death. Animals are often found entangled in balloon strings and as a result are injured or strangled to death.
Your Committee further finds that any benefit provided by the intentional release of balloons is de minimis at best. There are numerous other ecologically friendly options to celebrate or commemorate events. Therefore, your Committee finds that to ensure the safety of wildlife and marine animals and protect the environment, the intentional release of balloons filled with lighter-than-air gas should be prohibited, except under certain circumstances.
Your Committee has
amended this measure by:
(1) Making it effective upon its approval; and
(2) Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity and consistency.
As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Agriculture and Environment that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1102, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1102, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, and be referred to your Committees on Ways and Means and Judiciary.
Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Agriculture and Environment,
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________________________________ MIKE GABBARD, Chair |
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