STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2612

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 2290

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 S.B. No. 2290 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO MICROBEADS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to implement a phased series of bans on personal care products that contain plastic microbeads.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Health, Conservation Council For Hawai‘i, Life of the Land, and three individuals. Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from the Consumer Healthcare Products Association, Personal Care Products Council, Retail Merchants of Hawaii, and Hawaii Food Industry Association.

Your Committee finds that plastic microbeads pose a danger to Hawaii's natural environment, especially aquatic animals. A prohibition on plastic microbeads would support the State's commitment to environmental sustainability. This measure implements phased bans on plastic microbeads in 2022, 2023, and 2024.

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 S.B. No. 2290 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to your Committees on Commerce and Consumer Protection and Judiciary.

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

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MIKE GABBARD, Chair