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SB840
THE SENATE
S.B. NO.
840
THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2025
STATE OF HAWAII
A BILL FOR AN ACT
RELATING
TO ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
.
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 the use of chemical-based sunscreen is detrimental to
the health of Hawai
ʻ
i's coral reef
ecosystems.
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The National Ocean Service
finds that the chemicals in both lotion and aerosol sunscreens can impair the
growth of plants, stunt and deform animals, and contribute to the bleaching of
coral.
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In 2018, the legislature passed
Senate Bill No. 2571, S.D. 2, H.D. 2, C.D. 1, signed into law as Act 104,
that bans the sale, offer for sale, or distribution of any sunscreen in the
State that contains oxybenzone or octinoxate, or both, without a
medically-licensed prescription.
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Recently,
there have been additional efforts to expand the ban to include more chemicals,
such as avobenzone and octocrylene, that negatively impact Hawai
ʻ
i's
fragile coral reefs.
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However, opponents
have expressed concerns with limited stock of approved sunscreens available on
island for consumers, which has halted efforts to further protect Hawai
ʻ
i's
coral reefs.
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The legislature further finds that an
alternative mineral-based sunscreen exists that protects consumers from skin
cancer and does not harm the reef ecosystems.
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The first dispenser of this sunscreen in a Hawai
ʻ
i
state park was established in November 2021 at the Waialae section of H
ā
puna
state recreation area on the west coast of Hawai
ʻ
i
island.
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The legislature also finds that
the deployment of sunscreen dispensers at state beaches will ease the burden of
securing reef-safe sunscreens for use by residents and visitors alike, as well
as further protect Hawai
ʻ
i's coral reef
ecosystems.
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The purpose of this Act is to:
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(1)
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Expand
the use of the mineral-based sunscreen dispensers to all state beaches to
decrease the amount of chemicals impacting Hawai
ʻ
i's
reef ecosystems; and
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(2)
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Authorize
the department of land and natural resources to contract or form a partnership
with private parties, such as hotels, community organizations, and nonprofit
organizations with an environmental protection mission, to assist in the
maintenance and management of installed mineral‑based sunscreen
dispensers at state beaches, as well as publicize that the mineral-based
sunscreen in these dispensers is more protective of the coral reefs of the
State.
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SECTION 2.
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The department of land and natural resources may contract or form a
partnership with private parties, including hotels, community organizations,
and nonprofit organizations with an environmental protection mission, to assist
in the maintenance, management, and operation of installed mineral-based
sunscreen dispensers at all state beaches, as well as publicize that the
mineral-based sunscreen in these dispensers is more protective of the coral
reefs of the State.
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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 $100,000 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 department of land and natural resources to install,
maintain, manage, and operate mineral-based sunscreen dispensers at all state
beaches.
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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 4.
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This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2025.
INTRODUCED BY:
_____________________________
Report Title:
DLNR; Non-Chemical Sunscreen Dispensers; State Beaches;
Appropriations
Description:
Allows the Department of Land and Natural Resources to
contract or form a partnership with private parties to assist with the
maintenance and management of sunscreen dispensers at all state beaches, as
well as publicize that the mineral-based sunscreen in these dispensers is more
protective of the coral reefs of the State.
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Appropriates funds for the installation, maintenance, management, and
operation of non-chemical sunscreen dispensers on all state beaches.
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The summary description
of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is
not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.