STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1054-22

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2022

RE: S.B. No. 2290

S.D. 1

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2022

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Energy & Environmental Protection, to which was referred S.B. No. 2290, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO MICROBEADS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to:

(1) Beginning July 1, 2022, ban the manufacture of personal care products in the State, except non-prescription drugs, that contain plastic microbeads;

(2) Beginning July 1, 2023, ban the sale or offer for sale of personal care products in the State, except non-prescription drugs, that contain plastic microbeads;

(3) Beginning July 1, 2023, ban the manufacture of non-prescription drug products in the State that contain plastic microbeads;

(4) Beginning July 1, 2024, ban the sale or offer for sale of non-prescription drugs in the State that contain plastic microbeads; and

(5) Provide exemptions for rinse-off cosmetics that are also non-prescription drugs regulated under the federal Microbead-Free Waters Act of 2015.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Health, Zero Waste Hawaii Island, Hawaii Island "Reef Keepers" Hui, Hawai‘i Reef and Ocean Coalition, Friends of Hanauma Bay, Center for Biological Diversity, and five individuals. Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from the Retail Merchants of Hawaii and Hawaii Food Industry Association.

Your Committee finds that plastic microbeads in many beauty products are harmful to coral and marine life. Microbeads can make their way into waterways and oceans, which are then ingested by marine life, and can eventually end up in human food sources. This measure seeks to decrease the amount of microplastic pollution in the State's waters and promote a healthy marine environment.

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. 2290, 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