STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2142

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 Energy & Environmental Protection, 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 Hawaiʻi Reef and Ocean Coalition.

Your Committee finds that health care facilities in the State generate significant waste through single-use surgical instruments and supplies, contributing to the overflow of landfills and pollution. Your Committee further finds that certain surgical instruments could be reprocessed and sterilized or recycled, reducing waste and supporting the State's environmental and sustainability goals. This measure encourages sustainable practices for the use and disposal of surgical equipment, modeled after practices adopted by California and Japan.

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 concurs with the intent and purpose of S.C.R. No. 194, S.D. 1, and recommends its adoption.

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

____________________________

NICOLE E. LOWEN, Chair