STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3079

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 2612

S.D. 2

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2022

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred S.B. No. 2612, S.D. 1, entitled:

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

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to establish and appropriate moneys for a reusable utensil pilot project in Department of Education schools on the island of Molokai.

Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the Department of Education and one individual.

Your Committee received written comments on this measure from the Department of Budget and Finance.

Your Committee finds that the single-use plastic utensils used in Department of Education schools are major contributors to plastic waste in the State. The pilot project established by this measure will help to reduce this waste and aid the State in determining the feasibility of implementing the program in Department of Education schools statewide.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Requiring the Department of Education to submit an interim report to the Legislature prior to the Regular Session of 2023 and a final report prior to the Regular Session of 2024 on the feasibility of statewide implementation;

(2) Changing the effective date to July 1, 2050, to facilitate further discussion on the measure; and

(3) Making technical nonsubstantive changes for purposes of clarity, consistency, and style.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Ways and Means that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2612, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 2612, S.D. 2.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Ways and Means,

________________________________

DONOVAN M. DELA CRUZ, Chair