HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.B. NO.	1906
THIRTY-FIRST LEGISLATURE, 2022
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

relating to environmental protection.

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

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that bidets are environmentally friendly, a key green technology, and can be used as an alternative to toilet paper. Bidets are also cost-effective. Studies show that bidets only use one-eighth of a gallon of water, compared to thirty-seven gallons of water, 1.3 kilowatts an hour of electricity, and approximately a pound and a half of wood to make a single roll of toilet paper. Bidets are popular in many areas of Europe, Asia, and South America. For example, sixty per cent of Japanese households and approximately ninety per cent of Venezuelan households own bidets.

The legislature also finds that using toilet paper means indirectly contributing to deforestation. The United States uses approximately 36,500,000,000 rolls of toilet paper every year, which represents the pulping of around fifteen million trees. Furthermore, toilet paper can cause clogs in pipes and adds a significant load onto sewer systems and water treatment plants. Studies find that the chlorine used to bleach toilet paper pollutes many water sources around the world, thereby killing marine animals. While Hawaii has laws to protect the ocean and marine animals, encouraging the public to stop using or use less toilet paper will reduce environmental pollution.

The legislature further finds that in November 2018, the Hawaii Green Growth network formally accepted the United Nations' invitation to become one of the first Local2030 Sustainability Hubs worldwide. The Hawaii state senate has also recently announced its determination to focus on certain United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Switching traditional toilets to bidets can help the State achieve more of its sustainability goals and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

The purpose of this Act is to appropriate funds to the department of accounting and general services to procure, install, and maintain bidets at the State Capitol building.

SECTION 2. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $           or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2022-2023 for the department of accounting and general services to procure, install, and maintain bidets at the State Capitol building.

The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of accounting and general services for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 3. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2022.

INTRODUCED BY:

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Report Title:

DAGS; Bidets; State Capitol; Appropriation

Description:

Appropriates funds to DAGS for bidets at the State Capitol building.

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