STAND. COM. REP. NO.  1007

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2021

 

RE:   S.B. No. 348

      S.D. 1

 

 

 

 

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2021

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Energy & Environmental Protection, to which was referred S.B. No. 348, S.D. 1, entitled:

 

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO BOTTLED WATER,"

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose of this measure is to:

 

     (1)  Repeal the requirement that noncarbonated bottled water be transported, stored, processed, or bottled through lines or equipment through which only water is passed; and

 

     (2)  Update existing law to require bottled water to meet standards prescribed by the United States Food and Drug Administration regarding product quality standards for bottled water.

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Sierra Club National Marine Team, Hawaii Food Industry Association, Ball Corporation, Ko Olina Resort Operators Association, and Maui Brewing Co.  Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Grassroot Institute of Hawaii.

 

     Your Committee finds that existing state law expressly prohibits carbonated soft drink, juice, and beer operations from using the same equipment to can noncarbonated bottled water.  This measure ensures that local beverage filling companies that manufacture other products can provide noncarbonated water in aluminum cans to consumers as a more recyclable alternative to single-use plastic water bottles, allowing local businesses to expand into new products and encourage economic growth.

 

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Energy & Environmental Protection that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 348, S.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to your Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce.

 

 

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Energy & Environmental Protection,

 

 

 

 

____________________________

NICOLE E. LOWEN, Chair