STAND. COM. REP. NO. 223-06

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2006

RE: H.B. No. 1913

H.D. 1

 

 

 

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2006

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Energy & Environmental Protection, to which was referred H.B. No. 1913 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO SOLID WASTE,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to make the State's deposit beverage container program's redemption center requirements applicable to dealers located within two miles of a certified redemption center in a high-density population area or in rural areas.

Your Committee finds that the measure accomplishes this purpose by repealing the exemption from mandatory participation in the State's deposit beverage container program provided to dealers located either within two miles of a certified redemption center in a high-density population area or in rural areas. The measure also requires the affected businesses to begin participating in the State's deposit beverage container program by January 1, 2007.

Your Committee recognizes that the participation of consumers in the State's deposit beverage container program is inextricably related to the convenience of redemption centers. Hence, the long-term success of the program hinges on improving the convenience and proximity of redemption centers to consumers. The Legislature also recognizes that increasing retailer participation in the program is another critical component that must be addressed in order for the program to succeed. Consequently, your Committee believes that the amended measure will increase convenience to the consumer by requiring more retailers to participate in redemption activities and therefore, will result in increased consumer participation in the State's deposit beverage container program.

Your Committee has amended the measure by:

(1) Deleting the amendment that repealed the exemption provided to retailers located in rural areas;

(2) Exempting counties with a population of less than five hundred thousand from the State's deposit beverage container program;

(3) Increasing the square footage threshold for a dealer's place of business that triggers compliance with the State's deposit beverage container program from less than five thousand square feet of interior space to less than ten thousand square feet of interior space; and

(4) Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purpose of style and to reflect recommended drafting conventions.

Your Committee notes that one issue in need of further clarification is whether a non-certified redemption center operated by a retailer is entitled to receive a handling fee under this program. Therefore, your Committee believes that this issue deserves further discussion in subsequent committees.

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 is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1913, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1913, H.D. 1, and be referred to the Committee on Economic Development & Business Concerns.

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

 

____________________________

HERMINA MORITA, Chair