STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1162

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: H.B. No. 256

H.D. 2

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committees on Health and Human Services and Agriculture and Environment, to which was referred H.B. No. 256, H.D. 2, entitled:

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

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to require an owner or operator of a waste-to-energy facility to comply with certain United States Environmental Protection Agency regulations for emission limitations as they existed on December 31, 2024, unless emission limitations are made more stringent by federal regulations or by the state Air Pollution Control Permit issued to that owner or operator by the Department of Health.

Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Health, Climate Protectors Hawaii, Environmental Caucus of the Democratic Party of Hawaiʻi, Reworld, and seven individuals.

Your Committees received comments on this measure from the Energy Justice Network.

Your Committees find that strengthening regulations for waste-to-energy facilities is crucial for safeguarding public health. Your Committees further find that the State is committed to maintaining the State's stringent environmental standards that govern the operations of waste-to-energy facilities and preventing any backsliding on existing emission limits that may be proposed by the United States Environmental Protection Agency. This measure represents a vital step in protecting the State's environment and public health for current and future generations by maintaining robust environmental protections, even in the event of enactment of less stringent federal environmental regulations.

Your Committees have amended this measure by inserting an effective date of December 31, 2050, to encourage further discussion.

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Health and Human Services and Agriculture and Environment that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 256, H.D. 2, as amended herein, and recommend that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 256, H.D. 2, S.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Health and Human Services and Agriculture and Environment,

________________________________ MIKE GABBARD, Chair

________________________________ JOY A. SAN BUENAVENTURA, Chair