STAND. COM. REP. NO. 929-22

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2022

RE: H.B. No. 1642

H.D. 2

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2022

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce, to which was referred H.B. No. 1642, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO POSTCONSUMER RECYCLED CONTENT,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to require deposit beverage distributors that sell, offer for sale, or distribute deposit beverage containers in the State to meet minimum postconsumer recycled content requirements.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Health, one member of the Hawai‘i County Council, County of Hawai‘i Department of Environmental Management, and one individual. Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from the International Bottled Water Association, American Beverage Association, and Hawaii Food Industry Association. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the American Chemistry Council.

Your Committee finds that plastic waste is harmful to human health and the environment. Your Committee further finds that mechanisms must be considered to reduce plastic waste. This measure, by mandating minimum postconsumer recycled content, will help to reduce plastic waste and greenhouse gas emissions.

Your Committee notes the concerns regarding potential supply chain issues, as well as other cost issues, that may be inherent with this measure. Your Committee understands these concerns and believes further discussion on these issues may be warranted.

Your Committee has amended this measure by clarifying that the minimum postconsumer recycled content requirements may be calculated by weight or another metric as determined by the Department of Health.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1642, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1642, H.D. 2.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce,

____________________________

AARON LING JOHANSON, Chair