STAND. COM. REP. NO.  488

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2021

 

RE:   H.B. No. 516

      H.D. 1

 

 

 

 

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2021

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Higher Education & Technology, to which was referred H.B. No. 516, H.D. 1, entitled:

 

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO SUSTAINABLE ELECTRONICS MANAGEMENT,"

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose of this measure is to promote electronics stewardship and reduce electronic waste in the State by establishing the Electronic Device and Television Donation Act to require all persons receiving state funds and state financial assistance to donate unnecessary but functioning electronic devices to nonprofit organizations that will refurbish and distribute the devices to eligible persons in the State.

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Education, Hawaiian Hope Org, and two individuals.  Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Accounting and General Services.

 

Your Committee finds that the growth in the technology industry has led to ongoing escalation of electronic waste in landfills.  Your Committee also finds that while recycling of electronic devices prevents valuable materials from being wasted, preventing waste in the first place is preferable to waste management.  Donating used but functioning electronic devices for reuse extends the life of valuable products, keeps devices out of the waste stream for a longer period of time, and serves a valuable public purpose and benefit.  Your Committee further finds that this measure will provide greater access to nonprofits in the State to refurbish computers and other electronic devices for community use, instead of these items being discarded as electronic waste.

 

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Higher Education & Technology that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 516, H.D. 1, and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Finance.

 

 

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Higher Education & Technology,

 

 

 

 

____________________________

GREGG TAKAYAMA, Chair