ST7VND. COM. REP. NO.
Honolulu, Hawaii
APR 0 2 2025
RE: S.R. No. 174
S.D. 1
Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi
President of the Senate
Thirty-Third State Legislature
Regular Session of 2025
State of Hawaii
Sir:
Your Committee on Health and Human Services, to which was
referred S.R. No. 174 entitled:
"SENATE RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH TO
REDUCE THE USE OF DISPOSABLE SURGICAL EQUIPMENT AND ADOPT
SUSTAINABLE PRACTICES IN THE PROVISION OF HEALTH CARE
SERVICES FOLLOWING EXAMPLES SET BY CALIFORNIA AND JAPAN,"
begs leave to report as follows:
The purpose and intent of this measure is to request the
Department of Health to reduce the use of disposable surgical
equipment and adopt sustainable practices in the provision of
health care services following examples set by California and
Japan.
Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure
from the Hawaii Reef and Ocean Coalition, Climate Protectors
Hawai‘i, Environmental Caucus of the Democratic Party of Hawai‘i,
and two individuals.
Your Committee finds that there are opportunities for the
Department of Health to reduce the ecological footprint of the
health care sector in the State, especially in regard to medical
waste. Your Committee further finds that disposable surgical
equipment contributes significantly to medical waste, much of
which ends up in landfills or incinerators, exacerbating the
State's waste management challenges. Your Committee notes that
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REP . NO.
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California has already made strides toward waste reduction in
health care facilities through initiatives such as reusable
surgical gowns and instruments, which have reduced overall waste
and saved costs in the long term. Your Committee further notes
that Japan has implemented similar practices, integrating
sterilization technology to safely reuse medical equipment,
setting an example of sustainability in health care. This measure
promotes sustainability initiatives in the State's health care
sector by encouraging reductions in medical waste and adoption of
sustainable practices in the provision of health care services.
Your Committee notes the concern raised in testimony that the
Department of Health alone cannot be expected to reduce the use of
disposable surgical equipment and adopt sustainable practices in
the provision of health care services in the State. Therefore,
there is a need to amend this measure to address this concern.
Accordingly, your Committee has amended this measure by:
(1) Clarifying that the Department of Health is requested to
encourage reductions in the use of disposable surgical
equipment and adoption of sustainable practices in the
provision of health care services following examples set
by California and Japan; and
(2) Amending its title accordingly.
As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your
Committee on Health and Human Services that is attached to this
report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of S.R.
No. 174, as amended herein, and recommends its adoption in the
form attached hereto as S.R. No. 174, S.D. 1.
Respectfully submitted on
behalf of the members of the
Committee on Health and Human
Services,
2025-2553 SR SSCR SMA docx
 The Senate
Thirty-Third Legislature
State of Hawaii
Record of Votes
Committee on Health and Human Services
HHS
Bill / Resolution No.:* Committee Referral: Date: .
SK UM
Hrs
__ The Committee is reconsidering its previous decision on this measure.
If so, then the previous decision was to:___________________________________
The Recommendation is:
Pass, unamended Pass, with amendments __ Hold __ Recommit
2312 2311 2310 2313
Members Aye Aye (WR) Nay Excused
SAN BUENAVENTURA. Joy A. (C)
AQUINO. Henry J.C. (VC)
HASHIMOTO. Troy N.
KEOHOKALOLE. Jarrett
FEVELLA. Kurt
TOTAL
Recommendation:
[_j'^dopted __ Not Adopted
Distribution: Original Yellow Pink Goldenrod
File with Committee Report Clerk's Office Drafting Agency Committee File Copy
*Only one measure per Record of Votes
Revised; 12/09/24