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REPORT OF THE <br /> COMMITTEE ON ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT <br /> DATE: February 21, 2017 Re: Comm. No. 107/Bill No. 13 <br /> PLACE: Council Chambers <br /> Kailua-Kona, Hawai`i <br /> TIME: 2:04 p.m. <br /> Council Chair and Members <br /> Hawaii County Council <br /> Hilo, Hawaii 96720 <br /> Your Committee on Environmental Management, to which was referred Bill No. 13, reports as <br /> follows: <br /> Bill No. 13, transmitted by Council Member Eileen O'Hara, via Communication No. 107, dated <br /> February 1, 2017, amends Chapter 20 of the Hawaii County Code 1983 (2016 Edition, as <br /> amended), by adding a new article relating to reduction of polystyrene foam "Styrofoam" food <br /> containers and food service ware. <br /> On February 21, 2017, about 40 people testified from four video conferencing sites, all speaking <br /> in support of this bill. <br /> Councilmember O'Hara relinquished Chairmanship of the meeting to Vice Chair Richards. Ms. <br /> O'Hara explained the housekeeping amendments she proposed to fix dates in a couple of places <br /> and change the order of the definitions. The amendments were approved and discussion on the <br /> bill began. <br /> Ms. O'Hara explained that she introduced Bill 13, at the urging of many constituents in her <br /> district. Bill 13 is the same as Bill 140 Draft 3 that failed in the last council term. She stated that <br /> having some kind of limited polystyrene ban would be in following with what hundreds of cities <br /> are already doing. She reminded committee members that there is currently no state wide ban <br /> and that the Department of Health urges that councils take action at the county level. She also <br /> stated that Maui County had passed a"Styrofoam"bill at first reading and the State bill is still <br /> pending. She urged this committee to take action now. <br /> Ms. O'Hara further explained that any additional cost to users of polystyrene food containers <br /> would be minimal and much of that cost would be passed on to consumers. She stated that <br /> alternatives to polystyrene exist and that using alternatives would provide opportunities for new <br /> businesses. <br /> Ms. Poindexter, Ms. David, Ms. Eoff and Ms. Ruggles all spoke in support of the bill. <br /> Ms. Lee Loy stated that she had concerns with the exemptions section and asked if the bill was <br /> required to go to the Environmental Management Commission (EM Commission). She asked for <br /> Corporation Counsel Joseph Kamelamela to comment. <br /> EMC Report No. 1 <br />