STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2078

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2025

RE: S.C.R. No. 194

S.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 Health, to which was referred S.C.R. No. 194, S.D. 1, entitled:

"SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH TO ENCOURAGE REDUCTIONS IN THE USE OF DISPOSABLE SURGICAL EQUIPMENT AND ADOPTION OF SUSTAINABLE PRACTICES IN THE PROVISION OF HEALTH CARE SERVICES FOLLOWING EXAMPLES SET BY CALIFORNIA AND JAPAN,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to request the Department of Health to encourage reductions in the use of disposable surgical equipment and adoption of sustainable practices in the provision of health care services following examples set by California and Japan.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Hawaii Reef and Ocean Coalition. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Health.

Your Committee finds that hospitals and health care facilities generate significant medical waste that often consists of single-use surgical instruments and supplies, which contributes to landfill overflow and environmental pollution. Your Committee further finds that California and Japan have implemented programs that reduce medical waste through the use of reprocessed and sterilized surgical instruments. This measure encourages the adoption of similar programs and techniques in the State.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Health that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of S.C.R. No. 194, S.D. 1, and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Energy & Environmental Protection.

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

____________________________

GREGG TAKAYAMA, Chair