STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2649

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                   

 

RE:     S.B. No. 2386

        S.D. 1

 

 

 

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirtieth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2020

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committees on Water and Land and Agriculture and Environment, to which was referred S.B. No. 2386 entitled:

 

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

 

beg leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to:

 

     (1)  Prohibit any waste or disposal facility from being located in a conservation district except in emergency circumstances to mitigate significant risks to public safety and health; and

 

     (2)  Require no less than a one-half mile buffer zone for the construction, operation, modification, or expansion of a municipal solid waste landfill unit.

 

     Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from the Plumbers and Fitters Local 675, Zero Waste Oahu, Sierra Club of Hawaii, ILWU Local 142, Surfrider Oahu, Ai Pohaku–The Stone Eaters, and three individuals.  Your Committees received testimony in opposition to this measure from the County of Hawaii, Department of Environmental Management; Building Industry Association Hawaii; and Chamber of Commerce Hawaii.  Your Committees received comments on this measure from the County of Maui, Department of Environmental Management.

 

     Prior to the hearing on this measure, your Committees posted and made available for public review a proposed S.D. 1, which amends this measure by clarifying the types of facilities that are subject to the buffer zone requirement.

 

     Your Committees received testimony in support of the proposed S.D. 1 from the Department of Land and Natural Resources; Ke One O Kākuhihewa-Oahu Council of the Association of Hawaiian Civic Clubs; Iron Workers Stabilization Fund; Association of Hawaiian Civics Clubs; Moku O Manokalanipō, Kauai Council of the Association of Hawaiian Civic Clubs; International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers; Prince Kūhiō Hawaiian Civic Club; Plumbers and Fitters Local 675; Association of Hawaiian Civic Clubs-Hawaii Council; Hawaii Building & Construction Trades Council; and one individual.  Your Committees received testimony in opposition of the proposed S.D. 1 from the Department of Health and PVT Land Company, Ltd.  Your Committees received comments on the proposed S.D. 1 from the County of Maui, Department of Environmental Management and County of Kauai, Department of Public Works.

 

     Your Committees find that there is an emergence of scientific studies affirming the health hazards of living and working next to landfills.  The State lacks landfill buffer zone requirement that adequately protect public health.  This measure will ensure a minimum safe distance between landfills, its facilities, and the public to better increase the health and quality of life for the people in the State.

 

     Your Committees have amended this measure by adopting the proposed S.D. 1 and further amending the measure by:

 

     (1)  Inserting an effective date of July 1, 2050, to encourage further discussion; and

 

     (2)  Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity and consistency.

 

     As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Water and Land and Agriculture and Environment that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2386, as amended herein, and recommend that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 2386, S.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Judiciary.

 

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Water and Land and Agriculture and Environment,

 

________________________________

MIKE GABBARD, Chair

 

________________________________

KAIALI'I KAHELE, Chair