STAND. COM. REP. NO. 15

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2025

RE: H.B. No. 348

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 Tourism, to which was referred H.B. No. 348 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO SINGLE-USE PLASTICS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to prohibit lodging establishments from providing personal care products in small plastic containers within sleeping room accommodations, any space within sleeping room accommodations, or bathrooms used by the public or guests.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Environmental Caucus of the Democratic Party of Hawaiʻi and two individuals. Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from one individual. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Health, Hawaiʻi Lodging & Tourism Association, and Starn O'Toole Marcus & Fisher.

Your Committee finds that this measure will reduce the amount of harmful plastic waste in Hawaii while also making the visitor industry more sustainable.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Amending the definition of "personal care product"; and

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

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Tourism that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 348, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 348, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Energy & Environmental Protection.

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

____________________________

ADRIAN K. TAM, Chair