STAND. COM. REP. NO. 311

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2025

RE: H.B. No. 878

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 Water & Land, to which was referred H.B. No. 878 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO LANDFILLS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to:

(1) Extend the landfill buffer zone from one-half mile to one mile; and

(2) Require the landfill buffer zone to apply to lands in the state conservation district and lands designated as national conservation areas.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from one member of the Honolulu City Council; Hawai‘i Farmers Union; and four individuals. Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from the Office of the Mayor of the City and County of Honolulu; Department of Public Works of the County of Kaua‘i; Environmental Caucus of the Democratic Party of Hawai‘i; and one individual. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Land and Natural Resources; Department of Health; Office of the Mayor of the County of Maui; and Iron Workers Stabilization Fund, Local 625.

Your Committee finds that Hawaii's unique ecosystems and cultural sites require stronger protections from the potential environmental and health hazards associated with landfills. Expanding the landfill buffer zone to one mile and including certain conservation areas within its scope will help safeguard native species, critical habitats, and culturally significant lands.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

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

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

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Water & Land that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 878, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 878, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Water & Land,

____________________________

MARK J. HASHEM, Chair