HomeMy WebLinkAbout24-02-08 0942 - Re_ Notice of hearing for SB 2368 - AdamsFrom:Georjean Adams
To:laura acasio; Mellon-Lacey, Diana
Cc:Dell Otsuka; Agustin, Noah; Lee McIntosh; Jim Beets; Tavares, Sherilyn K.; Erica Perez; Gonzalo Garcia; Dorothy
Norris; Sur, Peter
Subject:Re: Notice of hearing for SB 2368
Date:Thursday, February 8, 2024 9:41:51 AM
I had cleared the process and text of both HB1688 and SB2368 letters with Corp Counsel
Tavares before sending them out for EMC Commissioners vote.
Corp Counsel Lacey-Mellon is welcome to comment, since Sheri is out of the office.
Reminder: the deadline to vote on SB2368 letter is this morning. If fewer than 5 ayes are
received, no testimony will be submitted by EMC.
On Wed, Feb 7, 2024 at 9:54 PM laura acasio <laura.acasio@gmail.com> wrote:
I am calling into question this process of voting on bills before the State Legislature, the
content of which the EMC has not publicly discussed, on a closed forum via email. There
are huge questions as to whether this is transparent and proper in maintaining the public
trust. Not to mention, the content of these bills are extensive and require a great depth of
understanding. As a former Senator, to use County letterhead and the EMC "support" at the
legislature with this vague and closed process is very disingenuous at best. The legislators
reading this will be under the assumption that these bills were properly vetted by the EMC,
which they have not.
Can we get an official interpretation of this process from Corp Council Tavares on this
process?
Laura Acasio
On Wed, Feb 7, 2024 at 6:02 PM Georjean Adams <gadamsemc@gmail.com> wrote:
As Peter Sur notified you, the Senate Bill 2368 companion to HB1688 is up for hearing
this Friday. It is not a word for word copy of the house bill, but it's close. Having
submitted testimony on HB 1688 following 5 yes votes, I've drafted a copy of the letter the
Senate bill.
Please see the attached Draft EMC letter on SB 2368.
I ask for majority consent (meaning at least 5 in favor) to approve submitting the
attached letter. "Reply all" on your vote by noon tomorrow, Feb 8.
Because there were 3 members who did not vote yes on the previous letter, I recommend
to Dot, as chair for the next meeting, put on the agenda further discussion of our motion
in support of product responsibility legislation and the process by which we can respond
in time to new legislation. You'll have a chance to comment on the wording in the draft
agenda. Meanwhile, please note that the supporting letter comports with our January.
motion and is meant to be very general:
"...EMC supports the intent of Senate Bill 2368 and encourages its further
consideration."
Specific comments on the wording in the bill should be sent as your individual testimony,
as we have no time or ability to have a full discussion on details by the deadline
tomorrow.
Mahalo,
Georjean
---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: Sur, Peter <Peter.Sur@hawaiicounty.gov>
Date: Wed, Feb 7, 2024 at 1:18 PM
Subject: Notice of hearing for SB 2368
To: Tavares, Sherilyn K. <Sherilyn.Tavares@hawaiicounty.gov>, Agustin, Noah
<Noah.Agustin@hawaiicounty.gov>
BCC: EMC
SB 2368 is scheduled for a hearing on Friday, it is the Senate version of HB 1688:
https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?
billtype=SB&billnumber=2368&year=2024
Requires the department of health to conduct a statewide needs assessment to inform the
future establishment of an extended producer responsibility program for packaging waste.
Appropriates funds.
Hearing is 1 p.m. Friday, so testimony if any would need to be submitted to the
Legislature by 1 p.m. Thursday. And any commissioner may circulate a draft of testimony
for approval that is consistent with the motion you approved on January 24.
--
Georjean Adams
Chair, Environmental Management Commission
gadamsEMC@gmail.com
--
Georjean Adams
Chair, Environmental Management Commission
gadamsEMC@gmail.com