Bill Text: HI SB260 | 2020 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Relating To Plastic Straws.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 9-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2019-12-01 - Carried over to 2020 Regular Session. [SB260 Detail]
Download: Hawaii-2020-SB260-Introduced.html
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THE SENATE |
S.B. NO. |
260 |
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THIRTIETH LEGISLATURE, 2019 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
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A BILL FOR AN ACT
RELATING TO PLASTIC STRAWS.
BE IT
ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
SECTION 1. The legislature finds that Americans use five hundred million disposable drinking straws daily, according to the National Park Service. To visualize this, five hundred million straws would circle the earth two and a half times. These straws are made of plastic, intended for one-time use, rarely recycled, and are seemingly everywhere. Often the plastic straws end up as marine trash, clogging up oceans and entangling or being consumed by sea life. Conservationists report that plastic straws are among the most common plastic items volunteers clean from beaches.
While the legislature encourages consumers to change their habits and refuse plastic straws, legislative action can have a more effective impact on the abundant use of plastic straws. Some jurisdictions have already taken steps to prohibit the selling and distribution of straws, such as Seattle, Washington, and others are considering similar legislation. The legislature also finds that when a straw is necessary, there are numerous alternatives to plastic straws, including reusable and paper straws.
The purpose of this Act is to prohibit the distribution and selling of plastic straws by individuals and businesses and establish a fine and requirement for violators to pick up litter or perform other types of community service.
SECTION 2. Chapter 342H, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:
"§342H- Plastic straws; prohibited. (a) No individual or business shall distribute, sell, or otherwise provide a straw composed in full or part of plastic.
(b) Any individual or business violating
subsection (a) shall be fined not less than $100, and not more than $500 for
each offense. In addition to any fine
imposed, an individual who violates subsection (a) shall be ordered to pick up
and remove litter from a public place as follows:
(1) For the first offense, the violator shall spend four hours picking up litter or performing other types of community service; and
(2) For any subsequent offense, the violator shall spend eight hours picking up litter or performing other types of community service.
(c) As used in this section:
"Business"
means any commercial enterprise or establishment operating in the State,
including any individual proprietorship, joint venture, partnership, corporation,
limited liability company, or other legal entity, whether for profit or not for
profit, and includes all employees of the business or any independent
contractors associated with the business.
"Plastic"
means any material made of polymeric organic compounds and additives that can
be shaped by flow.
"Public place" has the same meaning as in section 711‑1100."
SECTION 3. This Act does not affect rights and duties that matured, penalties that were incurred, and proceedings that were begun before its effective date.
SECTION 4. New statutory material is underscored.
SECTION 5. This Act shall take effect on January 1, 2020.
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INTRODUCED BY: |
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Report Title:
Plastic Straws; Fine; Community Service
Description:
Prohibits the distribution and selling of plastic straws. Establishes a fine for individual and business violators. Requires individual violators to additionally pick up litter or perform community service. Effective 1/1/2020.
The summary description
of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is
not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.
