STAND.
COM. REP. NO. 432
Honolulu, Hawaii
, 2025
RE: H.B. No. 918
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 Consumer Protection & Commerce, to which was referred H.B. No. 918 entitled:
"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO LABELING,"
begs leave to report as follows:
Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Office of the Mayor of the County of Maui; Department of Environmental Services of the City and County of Honolulu; Department of Environmental Management of the County of Hawaiʻi; INDA, Association of the Nonwoven Fabrics Industry; and Hawaiʻi Association of REALTORS. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Health; Department of Agriculture; and Retail Merchants of Hawaii.
Your Committee finds that wipes made from synthetic materials do not break down when they become wet. As a result, these wipes cause clogs or blockages in pipes and pumps, leading to sewage spills. This increases maintenance costs, reduces the efficiency of wastewater treatment facilities, and poses a health and safety risk to workers and residents. This measure is intended to raise public awareness and encourage responsible disposal of wipes by establishing labeling requirements for premoistened nonwoven disposable wipes.
Your Committee has amended this measure by:
(1) Moving the statutory language and the regulation of the labeling requirements under jurisdiction of the Department of Health;
(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, as this measure advances through the legislative process, that consideration be given for making the labeling requirements effective on July 1, 2026. Your Committee further notes that written testimony received by your Committee has suggested an alternative implementation strategy, using Oregon as a model. Your Committee respectfully requests your Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs, should it deliberate on this measure, to give due consideration to this suggestion.
As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 918, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 918, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs.
Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce,
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____________________________ SCOT Z. MATAYOSHI, Chair |