STAND. COM. REP. NO.  1038

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2015

 

RE:   H.R. No. 141

 

 

 

 

Honorable Joseph M. Souki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Eighth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2015

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Energy & Environmental Protection, to which was referred H.R. No. 141 entitled:

 

"HOUSE RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH TO EXAMINE EXISTING AND ALLEGED VIOLATIONS IN THE SOLID WASTE RECYCLING INDUSTRY AND FAIRLY AND EQUALLY ENFORCE APPLICABLE LAWS AND REGULATIONS FOR ALL COMPANIES,"

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose of this measure is to improve the solid waste recycling industry in Hawaii by requesting the Department of Health to:

 

     (1)  Promptly investigate all alleged violations of laws and regulations pertaining to human health and the environment within its purview by companies operating within the solid waste recycling industry, timely issue any appropriate penalty or order any necessary corrective action, and ensure any ordered action is taken;

 

     (2)  Provide a complaining or interested party with information regarding the status and results of any such investigation, resulting penalty, or order for corrective action; and

 

     (3)  Fairly and equally enforce laws and regulations it is authorized to enforce against all companies operating within the solid waste recycling industry, with the goal of ensuring compliant, fair, and safe operations to further the ultimate end of protecting Hawaii's citizens and lands.

 

     Schnitzer Steel Hawaii supported the measure.  The Department of Health submitted comments.

 

     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 H.R. No. 141 and recommends that it be referred to the Committee on Judiciary.

 

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

 

 

 

 

____________________________

CHRIS LEE, Chair