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HB1569
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
H.B. NO.
1569
THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026
STATE OF HAWAII
A BILL FOR AN ACT
relating
to the environment
.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
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SECTION
1.
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The Hawaii Revised Statutes is
amended by adding a new chapter to be appropriately designated and to read as
follows:
"
Chapter
microfiber filtration systems in washing
machines
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� -A
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Definitions.
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As used in
this chapter:
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"Department" means the department
of health.
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"Microfiber filtration system"
means a filtration system that:
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(1)
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Is active across all washing cycles of a
washing machine;
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(2)
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Contains a microfiber filter that:
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(A)
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Has a mesh size of 100 micrometers or less; or
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(B)
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Meets another standard as determined by the
department to provide equal or greater efficacy in reducing microfiber
pollution as compared to a microfiber filter with a mesh size of not greater
than 100 micrometers; and
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(3)
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Is either:
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(A)
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Built into a newly manufactured washing
machine; or
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(B)
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An in-line filtration system that is packaged
with and capable of being installed with a newly manufactured washing machine.
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"Manufacturer"
means any individual, partnership, corporation, association, or other legal
relationship that is engaged in the manufacture, assembly, or production of
washing machines.
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"Units
sold" means the total number of newly manufactured washing machines that
are offered or distributed for sale within the State by a manufacturer,
directly or through a retailer, distributor, or other intermediary, including
through online or catalog channels, during a given year.
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"Washing
machine" means a machine designed and used for washing clothes and linens
and includes residential and commercial washing machines.
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� -B
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Washing machines; microfiber filtration
systems; requirements.
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(a)
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Except as provided in subsection (b), beginning January 1, 2032, no
manufacturer shall sell, offer to sell, or cause to be distributed for sale
within the State a newly manufactured washing machine that fails to meet the
requirements of subsection (d).
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(b)
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For
each calendar year, the percentage of newly manufactured washing machines
offered or distributed for sale in the State that are equipped with a
microfiber filtration system pursuant to subsection (d) shall be as follows:
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(1)
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Beginning January 1, 2032, not less than ten
per cent of units sold;
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(2)
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Beginning January 1, 2037, not less than fifty
per cent of units sold; and
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(3)
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Beginning January 1, 2042, not less than one
hundred per cent of units sold.
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(c)
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Beginning January 1, 2042, no retailer or
distributor may sell, offer for sale, or distribute for sale within the State a
newly manufactured washing machine that does not meet the requirements of
subsection (d).
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(d)
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Except as provided in subsection (b), each
newly manufactured washing machine shall:
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(1)
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Be equipped with a microfiber filtration
system;
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(2)
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Bear a conspicuous label visible at the point
of sale and on the washing machine that:
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(A)
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Notifies consumers that the unit includes a
microfiber filtration system;
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(B)
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Instructs consumers to check and clean the
filter according to a regular schedule; and
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(C)
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Directs consumers to dispose of captured lint
with household solid waste or according to the manufacturer's instructions; and
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(3)
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Include a certificate of compliance stating
that the washing machine is complaint with this section.
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� -C
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Certification; requirements.
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(a)
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Each
manufacturer of a newly manufactured washing machine sold, offered for sale, or
caused to be sold or distributed for sale in the State shall certify with the department,
in a form and manner as determined by the department, that the manufacturer is
in compliance with the requirements of this chapter.
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(b)
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The certificate shall, at a minimum, include:
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(1)
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A description of which units are sold in
compliance with section -B; and
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(2)
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A signed attestation of compliance by an
authorized official or agent of the manufacturer.
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-D
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Penalties.
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(a)
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Any manufacturer found in violation of this chapter shall be liable for
a civil penalty of no more than $10,000 for a first violation and no more than
$30,000 for each subsequent violation.
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(b)
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No washing machine distributer or retailer
shall be held in violation of this chapter if the distributor or retailer is
not the manufacturer of the washing machine and the distributor or retailer
relied in good faith on the certificate of compliance provided by the
manufacturer pursuant to section -B.
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(c)
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This section shall not impair any other
rights, causes of action, claims, or defenses available under any other
law.
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The penalties provided under this
section shall be considered cumulative with any other remedied provided by law.
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-E
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Rules.
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The department may adopt rules in accordance with chapter 91 for the
purposes of this section, including but not limited to:
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(1)
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Establishing certification requirements for
manufacturers, including frequency;
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(2)
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Specifying verification methods for the
inclusion of microfiber filter systems;
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(3)
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Establishing procedures for calculating and
verifying the percentage of compliant units sold;
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(4)
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Establishing standards for microfiber filters;
provided that the standard shall provide equal or greater efficacy in reducing
microfiber pollution as compared to a microfiber filter with a mesh size of not
greater than one hundred micrometers; and
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(5)
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Establishing and providing limited exemptions
to the requirements of this chapter for small businesses."
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SECTION 2.
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In codifying the new sections added by
section 1 of this Act, the revisor of statutes shall substitute appropriate
section numbers for the letters used in designating the new sections in this
Act.
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SECTION 3.
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This Act shall take effect upon its approval.
INTRODUCED BY:
_____________________________
Report Title:
DOH; Newly
Manufactured Washing Machines; Microfiber Filters; Requirements
Description:
Phases in
requirements that all newly manufactured washing machines sold within the State
by January 1, 2042, be equipped with a microfiber filter.
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Requires certification that newly manufactured
washing machines have microfiber filters.
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Establishes penalties.
The summary description
of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is
not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.