STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1050-22

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2022

RE: S.B. No. 2612

S.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 Energy & Environmental Protection, to which was referred S.B. No. 2612, S.D. 2, entitled:

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

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to:

(1) Establish and appropriate funds for a reusable utensil pilot project at Department of Education schools on the island of Molokai; and

(2) Require the Department of Education to submit interim and final reports to the Legislature on the feasibility of statewide implementation of a reusable utensil program.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Education, Kualapu‘u Public Conversion Charter School, and one individual. Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from one individual. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Budget and Finance.

Your Committee finds that single-use plastic utensils used in Department of Education schools are major contributors to plastic waste in the State. Even recyclable plastics require extensive processing and must be shipped out-of-state for recycling at great cost. This measure establishes a pilot project for Molokai's Department of Education schools to explore the use of reusable utensils in school cafeterias and reduce single-use plastic waste in the State.

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. 2612, S.D. 2, and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to your Committee on Education.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Energy & Environmental Protection,

____________________________

NICOLE E. LOWEN, Chair