Click the links for each bill to submit testimony at http://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/
State Legislature:
Rise Above Plastics:
HB 525: Prohibiting smoking/tobacco products in State Parks has passed through all three of its house committees and will move on. Updates to come on Senate hearings after crossover.
HB 620: Requiring all products labeled as “compostable” to meet ASTM D6400 standards. This bill makes sure that products consumers are not tricked by false labels on products that claim to be biodegradable and compostable despite still containing large amounts of plastics. This bill has made it though one committee and will be heard next: Monday, 03-02-15 3:00PM in House conference room 325.
HB 621: Gradually prohibits the manufacture and sale of personal care products containing synthetic plastic microbeads to protect marine life. Has made it through all its House committees and will move on to the floor.
HB1507: Creating a working group to study the most effective methods for eliminating the use of single use bags. Is waiting for decision-making on Monday March 2nd in CPC.
SB689: Prohibits the sale of personal care products that contain plastic microbeads beginning on December 31, 2017. Requires violators to pay a fine. (SD1) - Passed ENE/HTH and referred to JDL/WAM. Waiting for next hearing date
SB1170: Compostable Standards – passed first committee hearing and waiting for hearing in CPN/JDL.
Stormwater:
These bills are designed to protect City and County in their right to establish a stormwater utility to help manage pollution from runoff and incentivize low impact development.
SB 1310 made it through the Senate PSM committee last week and it is scheduled for hearing Monday at 1PM in WAM. Even better, following right behind
HB 1325 is being heard on Tuesday at 11AM in FIN.
Coastal Zone Management:
SB501: By January 1, 2018, requires counties with available and reviewed shoreline erosion rate data to establish shoreline setbacks using a method prescribed by DLNR, which may be at least sixty feet inland from the shoreline. (SD1)
Passed first committee with amendments and is awaiting hearing dates in its next joint Senate Committee.
SB707: Creates UH Sustainability Fund – waiting for hearing in WAM
Cesspools:
HB1140: Provides a temporary income tax credit for the cost of upgrading or converting a cesspool to a septic system or an aerobic treatment unit system, or connecting to a sewer system.
Passed through both House Committees and awaits next steps.
HB1141: Prohibits new installation of a cesspool and new construction served by a cesspool after December 31, 2016. Authorizes DOH to develop rules for exceptions.
Passed through both House Committees and awaits next steps.
City & County Council
Read about and testify on Bill 47 Here: http://www.defendoahucoalition.org/calltoaction2.php
The bill seeks to add amendments from Councilman Anderson’s recommendation to make sure large areas of land around Malaekahana and Turtle Bay are protected from large scale development.
The City Council hearing is on Thurs, 3/5, starting at 10:30am