STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3475

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                  

 

RE:    H.B. No. 1682

       H.D. 1

 

 

 

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2022

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committees on Agriculture and Environment and Energy, Economic Development, and Tourism, to which was referred H.B. No. 1682, H.D. 1, entitled:

 

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE ISSUANCE OF SPECIAL PURPOSE REVENUE BONDS TO ASSIST NEXT LEVEL SOLUTIONS GROUP INC,"

 

beg leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to authorize the issuance of special purpose revenue bonds to assist Next Level Solutions Group Inc. in developing a waste-to-energy facility.

 

     Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from Next Level Solutions Group Inc.  Your Committees received testimony in opposition to this measure from Zero Waste Oahu, Kauai Women's Caucus, and six individuals.  Your Committees received comments on this measure from the Department of Budget and Finance and Climate Protectors Hawaii.

 

     Your Committees find that the lack of land in Hawaii suitable for use as landfills presents a significant problem for the State.  Additionally, the existing landfills produce toxic emissions that are harmful to human health and the environment.  Waste-to-energy technology can greatly benefit Hawaii by reducing the State's reliance on landfills.  This measure authorizes the issuance of special purpose revenue bonds to assist Next Level Solutions Group Inc. in developing waste-to-energy technology to reduce the need for landfills in Hawaii.

 

     As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Agriculture and Environment and Energy, Economic Development, and Tourism that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1682, H.D. 1, and recommend that it pass Second Reading and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

 

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Agriculture and Environment and Energy, Economic Development, and Tourism,

 

________________________________

GLENN WAKAI, Chair

 

________________________________

MIKE GABBARD, Chair