STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3274

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: H.B. No. 1644

H.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2022

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Agriculture and Environment, to which was referred H.B. No. 1644, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to ban the manufacture, sale, and distribution for sale or use of certain packaging materials that contain perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from Hawai‘i Reef and Ocean Coalition, Environmental Caucus of the Democratic Party of Hawai‘i, Chamber of Sustainable Commerce, Recycle Hawaii, Volcano Precious Plastic, Restore the Commons, Zero Waste Hawaii Island, Surfrider Foundation, Mahiku A‘o Mai Food Security Services, and five individuals. Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from one individual. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Health, Retail Merchants of Hawaii, Par Hawaii, Island Energy, and American Chemistry Council.

Your Committee finds that perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances pose a threat to human health and the environment. Perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances are commonly found in food packaging, further increasing the risk to human health. This measure protects human health and the environment in Hawaii by implementing a ban on packaging that contains perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances.

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. 1644, H.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to your Committees on Commerce and Consumer Protection and Ways and Means.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Agriculture and Environment,

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MIKE GABBARD, Chair