Laserfiche WebLink
TIME: 2:05 p.m. <br />Council Chair and Members <br />Hawai`i County Council <br />Hilo, Hawai`i 96720 <br />REPORT OF THE <br />COMMITTEE ON ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT <br />DATE: February 2, 2010 <br />PLACE: Councilroom <br />Hawaii County Building <br />25 Aupuni Street <br />Hilo, Hawaii <br />Re: Comm. No. 663 (Bill 193) <br />Your Committee on Environmental Management, to which was referred Bill No.193, reports as <br />follows: <br />Bill No.193, transmitted by Councilmember Pete Hoffmann, via Communication No. 663 dated <br />December 18, 2009, is a Bill amending Chapter 14, Hawai`i County Code 1983 (2005 Edition, as <br />amended) by adding a new article pertaining to plastic bag reduction. <br />At the February 2, 2010 Committee on Environmental Management meeting in the Councilroom, <br />there were 11 public testifiers regarding Bill No.193. <br />Councilmember Pete Hoffmann reviewed the history of waste reduction in the County of Hawai`i and <br />stated that Bill No.193 is a start in the right direction towards reducing the amount of plastic bags <br />used in the County. <br />Council Chair J Yoshimoto is in favor of protecting the environment but is uncertain whether the <br />bags or people are the problem. He recalled that the previously formed Ad Hoc Committee held only <br />one meeting and suggested that it be reconvened. <br />Councilmember Brenda Ford discussed the various costs of biodegradable bags, the scale of penalties <br />for violations and exemptions allowed. She felt the Council had sufficient information and time to <br />proceed without reconvening the Ad Hoc Committee. <br />Councilmember Dominic Yagong discussed how stores are already encouraging the reuse of bags, <br />the costs associated with biodegradable bags and concerns on the impact to small businesses. <br />Councilmember Dennis "Fresh" Onishi questioned District 9 Legislative Assistant Kareen Forissier <br />regarding input from various retailers on Bill No.193. <br />Councilmember Donald Ikeda discussed the need to educate because bags do not litter, people do. <br />Councilmember Guy Enriques discussed the need to reconvene the Ad Hoc Committee and was <br />concerned with the timing of Bill No.193. <br />