Testimony in Providing Comments to HB 998 – EEP & ERB – 2/10/11 at 11 a.m., Rm. 325

Chair Morita, Chair McKelvey, and Members of the Committees:

The Hawaii Restaurant Association (HRA) with over 3,500 locations directly employing over 82,000 dedicated people here in the State of Hawaii provides the following comments to HB 998 that requires businesses in the State to collect a 10 cent fee for each disposable checkout bag provided to a customer.

The HRA applauds the drafter’s inclusion of an exception for “Bags used to protect prepared foods or bakery goods.” The HRA requests further language to clarify the exception could be for “Bags used to protect prepared foods or bakery goods for take-out or transport.’ By adding the clause “for take-out or transport,” the intent of the bill to exempt restaurants and bakeries would be clearly set forth resulting in less confusion among the enforcing agency, merchants and consumers.

The HRA appreciates the intent of this bill, which is to protect the natural environment but plastic bags remain by far the best choice when holding containers containing freshly cooked foods, especially hot liquids and gravies that have “dampness” from the foods and condensation from the heat.

Thank you for giving us the opportunity to share our view to make this a better bill.

Very truly yours,

The Hawaii Restaurant Association

Bryan P. Andaya / Victor Lim / Tom Jones

Government Relations Co-chairs