STAND. COM. REP. NO. 767

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2025

RE: H.B. No. 332

H.D. 1

Honorable Nadine K. Nakamura

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Madame:

Your Committee on Energy & Environmental Protection, to which was referred H.B. No. 332 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO RECYCLING,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to:

(1) Expand the Electronic Device Recycling and Recovery Act to include the collection and recycling of certain lithium-ion batteries; and

(2) Require manufacturers of lithium-ion batteries to recycle or arrange for the recycling of lithium-ion batteries sold in the State, and ensure the safe collection, storage, transportation, and recycling of batteries.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Hawaiʻi Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Commission; Department of Environmental Management of the County of Hawaiʻi; Product Stewardship Institute; and three individuals. Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from Retail Merchants of Hawaii; Consumer Healthcare Products Association; Consumer Technology Association; The Rechargeable Battery Association; Mr. K's Recycle and Redemption Center, Inc.; and two individuals. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Health; Hawaii State Energy Office; and Hawaii Food Industry Association.

Your Committee finds that the improper disposal of lithium-ion batteries poses safety and environmental risks. However, your Committee finds that this measure, as drafted, may be premature and recognizes the need to further assess recycling methods for certain types of lithium-ion batteries in order to implement effective policies that would address the environmental harm associated with improper disposal.

Therefore, your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Deleting its contents, except the preamble, and inserting language establishing a Lithium-ion Battery Recycling Working Group to assess recycling methods for small and medium format lithium-ion batteries;

(2) Changing the effective date to July 1, 3000, to encourage further discussion; and

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

Your Committee notes that although this measure does not contain an appropriation, the Department of Health has identified the need for an appropriation of $75,000 for the working group, to potentially be appropriated from the Deposit Beverage Container Deposit Special Fund.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Energy & Environmental Protection that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 332, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 332, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Energy & Environmental Protection,

____________________________

NICOLE E. LOWEN, Chair