STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1723

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 Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection, to which was referred H.B. No. 256, H.D. 2, S.D. 1, entitled:

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

begs 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 the emission limits 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 Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Health, Reworld, and one individual.

Your Committee received comments on this measure from Climate Protectors Hawaiʻi.

Your Committee finds that the Environmental Protection Agency recently announced a major deregulation initiative with plans to reconsider rules and policies that largely address climate change or aim to reduce pollution from the burning of fossil fuels. The State is committed to maintaining stringent environmental standards that govern the operations of waste-to-energy facilities and preventing backsliding due to potential changes that may be proposed by the United States Environmental Protection Agency. This measure will therefore help protect the State's environment and public health for current and future generations by preserving the existing environmental protections already in place in the event that less stringent federal regulations are subsequently enacted.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 256, H.D. 2, S.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection,

________________________________

JARRETT KEOHOKALOLE, Chair