STAND. COM. REP. NO. 664

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                  

 

RE:    S.B. No. 232

 

 

 

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2021

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Judiciary, to which was referred S.B. No. 232 entitled:

 

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO LITTERING,"

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to:

 

     (1)  Increase the maximum civil penalty for littering from $500 to $1,000; and

 

     (2)  Increase the maximum fine for the offense of criminal littering from $1,000 to $5,000.

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Hawaii Food Industry Association.

 

     Your Committee finds that littering is costly, portrays a negative picture of an area, and is damaging to the environment.  Litter can cause physical harm and injury, especially needles, broken glass, highway debris, and improperly disposed of cigarette butts that may spark fires.  Littering can also contribute to the spread of disease and pollute the environment as toxic chemicals leach into waterways and soils.  Furthermore, when litter drifts out to sea, animals may ingest the plastic which creates health problems, including depletion of nutrients and causing animals to die.  Additionally, toxins ingested by animals may cause blood clotting, seizures, or other serious issues.  Toxic waterways may also kill off surrounding plant life in riverbanks, soil, and the air, compromising the health of the ecosystems and the animals and humans that rely on the health of the ecosystem.  Your Committee finds that littering fines must be increased to reflect the seriousness of the offense, be sufficient to deter individuals from littering, and demonstrate the State's commitment to protecting the natural environment.

 

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Judiciary that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 232 and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

 

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Judiciary,

 

 

 

________________________________

KARL RHOADS, Chair