Bill Text: HI SB2931 | 2014 | Regular Session | Amended
Bill Title: Advance Disposal Fee; Glass Containers
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 5-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2014-01-31 - Report adopted; Passed Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referred to WAM. [SB2931 Detail]
Download: Hawaii-2014-SB2931-Amended.html
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THE SENATE |
S.B. NO. |
2931 |
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TWENTY-SEVENTH LEGISLATURE, 2014 |
S.D. 1 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
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A BILL FOR AN ACT
RELATING TO RECYCLING.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
SECTION 1. The legislature finds that the cost of recycling glass containers far exceeds the revenue that the State receives through the advance disposal fee, which is imposed on sealed glass containers that are not glass deposit beverage containers, resulting in shortfalls in payment for glass recycling or stoppages in the recycling of glass containers. The advance disposal fee is deposited into the environmental management fund and then ninety per cent is disbursed to the counties to pay for recycling of glass containers. However, the counties typically exhaust these funds by the third quarter of a fiscal year and must then expend their own funds for glass recycling or stop paying for glass recycling.
The legislature further finds that there is a very limited local market for recycled or scrap glass and that, as a result, most of the glass is shipped to the mainland. The department of health has determined from the reports that it receives from the counties that it costs about 8 cents per pound to recycle glass containers.
The legislature further finds that the advance disposal fee of 1.5 cents per glass container has not been increased since it was established on September 1, 1994. Also, there is a huge disparity in weight between small glass containers and larger glass containers, which cost more to recycle. For example, an empty glass bottle capable of holding twelve fluid ounces averages seven to nine ounces in weight, whereas, an empty glass bottle capable of holding 750 milliliters, or 25.36 fluid ounces, averages 24 ounces or 1.5 pounds in weight and an empty glass bottle capable of holding 1.5 liters, or 50.72 fluid ounces, typically weighs at least 60 ounces, or 3.75 pounds.
The legislature further finds that it is easier to calculate the interior volume of glass containers, instead of the actual weight of the glass containers.
The purpose of this Act is to revise the advance disposal fee for glass containers to a tiered structure based on the interior volume of the glass containers.
SECTION 2. Section 342G-82, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by amending subsection (a) to read as follows:
"(a) Every glass container importer shall pay to the department an advance disposal fee. The fee shall be imposed only once on the same glass container and shall not be assessed on drinking glasses, cups, bowls, plates, ashtrays, and similar tempered glass containers. For the period beginning September 1, 1994, and ending December 31, 2014, the fee shall be one and one-half cents per glass container. Beginning October 1, 2004, the glass advance disposal fee shall only apply to glass containers that are not glass deposit beverage containers. Beginning January 1, 2015, the advance disposal fee shall be as follows:
(1) 1 cent per glass container for glass containers with interior volumes of less than eight fluid ounces;
(2) 3 cents per glass container for glass containers with interior volumes of at least eight fluid ounces but not more than twenty-four fluid ounces; and
(3) 5 cents per glass container for glass containers with interior volumes greater than twenty-four fluid ounces."
SECTION 3. The state auditor shall conduct an audit of the advance deposit fee as soon as feasibly possible and five years thereafter, the results of which shall be submitted to the legislature.
SECTION 4. New statutory material is underscored.
SECTION 5. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.
Report Title:
Advance Disposal Fee; Glass Containers
Description:
Amends the advance disposal fee for glass containers to a tiered structure based on the interior volume of the glass container. Requires the auditor to audit the advance disposal fee program. (SD1)
The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.
