STAND. COM. REP. NO. 667

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 347

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2021

State of Hawaii

Sir:

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

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

begs leave to report as follows:

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

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Land and Natural Resources, Hawai‘i Reef and Ocean Coalition, The Humane Society of the United States, Beach Environmental Awareness Campaign Hawai‘i, and four individuals.

Your Committee finds that the release of balloons inflated with lighter-than-air gases poses a danger and nuisance to the environment, particularly to wildlife and marine animals. Many animals are attracted to the bright colors of balloons and mistake them for food, which can cause an animal severe injury or death. Animals are often found entangled in balloon strings and as a result are injured or strangled to death.

Your Committee notes that there are other ecologically friendly options besides balloon releases, to celebrate or commemorate events. Therefore, your Committee finds that to promote the safety of wildlife and marine animals and protect the environment, the intentional release of balloons filled with lighter-than-air gas should be prohibited, except under certain circumstances.

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

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Judiciary,

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KARL RHOADS, Chair