RELATING TO MICROPLASTICS.

HB965

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

965

THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2025

STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

relating
to microplastics
.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

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SECTION 1.
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The legislature finds that microplastic
pollution from washing machines can result in substantial wastewater pollution.

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According to a study published by the
Marine Biology and Ecology Research Centre of the University of Plymouth, each
load of domestic laundry could release over 700,000 microscopic fibers into
wastewater and likely pass through sewage treatment and into the environment.

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The legislature further finds that
microplastic pollution into wastewater poses a significant threat to marine
ecosystems and human health.
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Washing
machines have been proven to be a substantial source of microplastic pollution
as synthetic fibers shed from textiles and are released into wastewater, which
eventually ends up in our oceans.
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To
quantify the scale of microfibers in the ocean caused by laundry alone,
thirty-five per cent of global releases of microplastics to oceans are thought
to be caused by washing clothes.

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The legislature further finds that the
installation of washing machine microplastic filtration systems in residential
and commercial washing machines can help to mitigate microplastic pollution.
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A washing machine microplastic filtration system
works by capturing microplastic fibers that are pulled off laundry while in the
wash, subsequently preventing the fibers from entering wastewater.
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Washing machine microplastic filtration
systems contribute to a decrease of plastic pollution in wastewater.

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The legislature further finds that
offering a financial incentive to residential and commercial washing machine
owners to mitigate the costs of purchasing the microplastic filtration device could
help increase the usage of washing machine microplastic filtration systems.

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The purpose of this Act is to create
a rebate program that mitigates the cost of purchasing residential and
commercial washing machine microplastic filters.

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SECTION 2.
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Chapter 174C, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is
amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as
follows:

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�174C-
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Microplastic
filtration rebate program.
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(a)
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The department, in consultation with the commission, shall administer a
microplastic filtration rebate program that incentivizes the purchase and
installation of microplastic filtration systems for washing machines or washing
machines equipped with a microplastic filtration system.

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(b)
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Each eligible purchase and installation of a
microplastic filtration system for a residential or commercial washing machine
or a residential or commercial washing machine equipped with a microplastic
filtration system shall be entitled to the following rebate amounts or the
retail cost, whichever amount is lower:

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(1)
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$
for a microplastic filtration system for a residential washing machine;

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(2)
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$
for a microplastic filtration system for a commercial washing machine;

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(3)
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$
for a residential washing machine equipped with a microplastic filtration
system; and

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(4)
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$
for a commercial washing machine equipped with a microplastic filtration
system.

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(c)
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The department shall:

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(1)
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Prepare any
forms that may be necessary for an applicant to claim a rebate pursuant to this
section;

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(2)
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Require each
applicant to furnish reasonable information to ascertain the validity of the
claim; and

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(3)
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Conduct
outreach and education efforts to promote the rebate program.

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(d)
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Applicants shall submit an application to the
department within twelve months of the date of purchase or installation,
whichever is later, to claim a rebate from the rebate program.
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Failure to apply within twelve months of the
date of purchase or installation, whichever is later, shall constitute a waiver
of the right to claim the rebate.

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(e)
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This section shall apply to microplastic
filtration systems and washing machines equipped with a microplastic filtration
system purchased and installed after July 1, 2025.
"

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SECTION
3.
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There is appropriated out of the
general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of
$ or so much
thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2025-2026 and the same sum or so
much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2026-2027 to be deposited into
the water resource management fund under section 174C-5.5, Hawaii Revised
Statutes, for the
microplastic
filtration systems for washing machines rebate program.

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SECTION
4.
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There is appropriated out of the
water resource management fund the sum of
$ or so much
thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2025-2026 and the same sum or so
much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2026-2027 for the
administration of the
microplastic filtration
rebate program.

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The sums

appropriated shall be expended by the
department of land and natural resources for the purposes of this Act.

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SECTION
5.
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New statutory material is
underscored.

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SECTION 6.
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This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2025.

INTRODUCED BY:

_____________________________

Report Title:

DLNR;
Commission on Water Resource Management; Microplastic Filtration Rebate
Program; Washing Machines; Appropriation

Description:

Establishes
a microplastic filtration rebate program within the Department of Land and
Natural Resources.

The summary description
of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is
not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.