Hawaii SR 73: REQUESTING THE CITY AND COUNTY OF HONOLULU TO CONSIDER DEVELOPING A FACILITY TO DISCARD LITHIUM-ION BATTERIES.

Bill Text

THE SENATE
THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026
STATE OF HAWAII
HAR 1 6 2026
S.R. NO. 73
SENATE RESOLUTION
REQUESTING THE CITY AND COUNTY OF HONOLULU TO CONSIDER
DEVELOPING A FACILITY TO DISCARD LITHIUM-ION BATTERIES.
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WHEREAS, lithium-ion batteries pose significant
environmental and public safety risks when damaged or improperly
disposed of, including fire and explosion hazards in landfills
and waste processing facilities; and
WHEREAS, despite laws regulating the disposal of lithium-
ion batteries, many are improperly discarded and end up in
landfills or other inappropriate parts of the solid waste
system; and
WHEREAS, the improper disposal of rechargeable lithium-ion
batteries creates unnecessary safety hazards for workers and
surrounding residents, while also posing environmental threats
to the State's land and water resources, including the aquifer;
and
WHEREAS, Act 209, Session Laws of Hawaii 2025 (Act 209),
established the Electric Vehicle Battery Recycling and Reuse
Working Group to examine how to maximize the recycling and reuse
of electric vehicle batteries and recommend electric vehicle
battery management practices; and
WHEREAS, the Electric Vehicle Battery Recycling and Reuse
Working Group included representatives from various sectors
throughout the electric vehicle battery industry, including
researchers, policymakers, manufacturers, shippers, and end-of-
life recycling facilities; and
WHEREAS, Act 209 received broad support from the electric
vehicle battery industry to address the complex risks associated
with electric vehicle batteries, including fire hazards from
lithium-ion batteries; and
WHEREAS, establishing accessible, safe, and properly
managed lithium-ion battery disposal infrastructure at the
county level would reduce fire risks, protect environmental
2026-1352 SR SMA-l.docx
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S.R. NO. 73
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resources, and support the responsible management of end-of-life
batteries; now, therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Thirty-third
Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2026,
that the City and County of Honolulu is requested to consider
developing a facility to discard lithium-ion batteries,
including but not limited to developing a wet shredding facility
in conjunction with the Honolulu Program of Waste Energy
Recovery (H-POWER) to discard lithium-ion batteries or electric
vehicle batteries for end-of-life use; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this
Resolution be transmitted to the Chief Energy Officer of the
Hawaii State Energy Office, Mayor of the City and County of
Honolulu, Chairperson of the Honolulu City Council, and Director
of the Department of Environmental Services of the City and
County of Honolulu.
2026-1352 SR SMA-l.docx
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