SCR 104 Hawaii Senate · 2025 Regular Session

REQUESTING THE GOVERNOR, OR THE GOVERNOR'S DESIGNEE, TO CONVENE A WORKING GROUP ON SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT.

This concurrent resolution (SCR 104) requests the Governor to convene a working group focused on solid waste management in Hawaii. The group must include representatives from state agencies, counties, the Honolulu Board of Water Supply, waste industry sectors (recycling, composting, reuse), environmental experts, and the U.S. military. The working group is required to submit a report by January 2026 with recommendations on reducing waste and protecting groundwater, including alternatives to landfill expansion. It directly addresses the impending expiration of Oahu's Waimanalo Gulch landfill and the lack of viable new landfill sites. The resolution does not enact new policy but seeks collaborative solutions to prevent illegal landfill expansion.

Issues: ✓ Environment

Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Mar 2025

Committee Review

Apr 2025

Senate Passage

Apr 2025

House Passage

Governor

Introduced Mar 7, 2025 Last action Apr 4, 2025

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What changed between versions

SCR104 → SCR104_SD1 · 5 edits

MODERATE

The bill was updated from a Senate Concurrent Resolution (SCR 104) to a Senate Draft (SCR 104 SD1) with significant substantive changes. The primary shift is moving the responsibility to convene the Solid Waste Management Working Group from the Department of Health to the Governor or their designee. The scope of the working group was expanded from 6 members to 13, adding representatives from the reuse, deconstruction, and Zero Waste USA industries, along with experts in landfill liner leakage and unit-based pricing. The resolution's language was also refined to better address environmental protection and alternative waste management technologies.

Scope change

The bill's scope expanded from requesting the Department of Health to form a working group to requesting the Governor to convene a larger, more diverse working group with additional industry and expert representation.

REQUIREMENT

Responsibility for convening the Solid Waste Management Working Group was changed from the Department of Health to the Governor or their designee.

Added seven new members to the working group, including representatives from the reuse, deconstruction, and Zero Waste USA industries, plus experts in landfill liner leakage and unit-based pricing.

Added specific requirements for the working group report to include materials management policies and a list of alternative technologies for waste that cannot be recycled or composted.

Changed the transmission of certified copies to be sent to the Governor, who must then distribute copies to stakeholders, rather than direct transmission to multiple recipients.

SCOPE

The resolution's WHEREAS clauses were updated to clarify that new landfill sites are problematic and to emphasize reducing the linear extract, package, and throw-away economy.

Floor votes

How they voted

This bill passed the Senate by voice vote (no roll call recorded).

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Apr 4, 2025

Committee

Referred to EEP, FIN, referral sheet 28

lower

Apr 3, 2025

Introduced

Received from Senate (Sen. Com. No. 503) in amended form (SD 1).

lower

Apr 3, 2025

Upper · Passed

Report and Resolution Adopted, as amended (SD 1). Transmitted to House.

upper

Apr 2, 2025

Upper · Passed

Reported from HHS/AEN (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 1588) with recommendation of adoption, as amended (SD 1).

upper

Mar 31, 2025

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on AEN recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in AEN were as follows: 4 Aye(s): Senator(s) Gabbard, Richards, DeCoite, Rhoads; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 1 Excused: Senator(s) Awa.

upper

Mar 31, 2025

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on HHS recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in HHS were as follows: 4 Aye(s): Senator(s) San Buenaventura, Aquino, Hashimoto, Keohokalole; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 1 Excused: Senator(s) Fevella.

upper

Mar 28, 2025

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on HHS/AEN has scheduled a public hearing on 03-31-25 1:00PM; Conference Room 225 & Videoconference.

upper

Mar 11, 2025

Committee

Referred to HHS/AEN.

upper

Mar 7, 2025

Introduced

Offered.

upper

1 primary · 0 co-sponsors