STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1804

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2021

RE: S.B. No. 347

S.D. 1

H.D. 1

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2021

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs, to which was referred S.B. No. 347, S.D. 1, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO LITTER CONTROL,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to prohibit the intentional release of balloons inflated with gas that is lighter than air.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Land and Natural Resources, Beach Environmental Awareness Campaign Hawai‘i, Hawai‘i Reef and Ocean Coalition, BalloonsBlow.org, Hawai‘i Wildlife Fund, The Humane Society of The United States, Pacific Whale Foundation, numerous individuals, and a petition signed by numerous individuals.

Your Committee finds that the release of balloons inflated with lighter-than-air gas poses a danger and nuisance to the environment, and in particular, to wildlife and marine animals. Your Committee further finds that many animals are attracted to the bright colors of balloons and mistake them for food, and that animals are often found entangled in balloon strings, causing the animals severe injury or death. The civil monetary penalty established by this measure aims to provide further protection to the environment and wildlife and marine ecosystems.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 347, S.D. 1, H.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs,

____________________________

MARK M. NAKASHIMA, Chair