HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.R. NO.	184
THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026
STATE OF HAWAII

HOUSE RESOLUTION

 

 

establishing the joint legislative mattress stewardship program design working group to study, evaluate, and make recommendations on the structure and IMPLEMENTATION of a statewide mattress stewardship program.

 

 

 

     WHEREAS, discarded mattresses and box springs present unique environmental challenges due to their size, material composition, and low rates of recycling, contributing to landfill capacity strain, illegal dumping, fire risk, and increased solid waste management costs; and

 

     WHEREAS, a mattress stewardship framework grounded in extended producer responsibility can support expanded collection, reuse, recycling, and responsible end-of-life management, while distributing program costs equitably among producers, retailers, consumers, and government; and

 

     WHEREAS, the public interest is served by developing a comprehensive stewardship plan that identifies regulatory authority, administrative structure, funding mechanisms, performance standards, reporting requirements, and consumer protections; and

 

     WHEREAS, House Bill No. 1924, H.D. 1 (Regular Session of 2026), proposed to establish a working group to develop a mattress stewardship program and related structures and contemplated stakeholder coordination to design an effective and administratively feasible system; and

 

     WHEREAS, an inclusive and expert-informed working group will provide a practical mechanism for developing detailed recommendations for a mattress stewardship program prior to statutory implementation; now, therefore,

 

     BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Thirty-third Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2026, that the joint legislative Mattress Stewardship Program Design Working Group is established to study, evaluate, and make recommendations on the structure and implementation of a statewide mattress stewardship program; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the working group is requested to consist of the following members:

 

     (1)  The Director of Health, or the Director's designee, who is requested to serve as the chairperson of the working group;

 

     (2)  The Director of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism, or the Director's designee;

 

     (3)  The State Solid Waste Management Coordinator, or the Coordinator's designee;

 

     (4)  One member of the Senate, to be appointed by the President of the Senate;

 

     (5)  One member of the House of Representatives, to be appointed by the Speaker of the House; and

 

     (6)  One representative from each county with responsibility for solid waste management, to be appointed by the respective mayor; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the chairperson is requested to invite the following to join the working group:

 

     (1)  One representative of mattress manufacturers;

 

     (2)  One representative of mattress renovators or recyclers;

 

     (3)  One representative of mattress retailers;

 

     (4)  One representative of a solid waste hauling or materials management company;

 

     (5)  One representative of an environmental nonprofit organization with expertise in product stewardship; and

 

     (6)  One representative of a consumer advocacy organization; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the working group is requested to consider, without limitation:

 

     (1)  Policy goals for environmental stewardship, landfill diversion, waste reduction, and public health protection related to mattress and box spring disposal;

 

     (2)  Extended producer responsibility frameworks, including obligations of manufacturers, renovators, importers, distributors, and retailers;

 

     (3)  Collection systems, transportation logistics, reuse and recycling pathways, and measurable performance standards;

 

     (4)  Governance and oversight structures for a stewardship organization;

 

     (5)  Fee structures, financing mechanisms, and appropriate use of program funds;

 

     (6)  Consumer education, labeling requirements, and outreach strategies; and

 

     (7)  Statutory, administrative, and budgetary actions necessary to implement a durable and enforceable programs; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Working Group is requested to meet at the call of the chairperson, solicit public and stakeholder input, and ensure statewide representation; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the working group is requested to submit a report of its findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, to the Legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2027; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the Director of Health; Director of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism; State Solid Waste Management Coordinator; Mayor of the City and County of Honolulu; Mayor of the County of Maui; Mayor of the County of Kauai; and Mayor of the County of Hawaii.

 

 

 

	OFFERED BY:	_____________________________

Report Title: 

Joint Legislative Mattress Stewardship Program Design Working Group; Establishment; Statewide Mattress Stewardship Program