“Environmental Protection” Bill to Grow Government Cost by at Least $1 million
From Grassroot Institute
While everyone has been reacting to the news that state lawmakers are considering today a 25 percent increase in the general excise tax (HB793), the “paper-and-plastic bag” bill is rearing its ugly head today as well.
At 4 p.m., the House Finance Committee will be hearing testimony on Senate Bill 1363, which goes under the title of environmental protection. In the latest version of the bill, however, no environmental protection purpose is stated. Rather it is written as another money-grab bill, intended to grow government, burden businesses and modify behavior of consumers, who need to transport their purchased merchandise. A fee (aka a fine) of 5 cents is to be imposed on single-use checkout bags, either plastic, or paper, whether recyclable or non-recyclable.
If this bill passes, beginning Jan. 1, 2012, all businesses subject to this mandate will be required to charge and collect the fee of 5 cents for each single-use checkout bag provided to customers; indicate on each customer transaction receipt the number of single-use checkout bags provided and the amount of the fee charged; and no later than the 15th day of each month, remit to the state department of health the fees collected during the immediately previous month.
As stated in testimony, the added administrative cost to the state department of health if this bill passes would be $1 million, for new staff and resources, to process payments and receipts, to conduct outreach and education, and to enforce the law.
So under the guise of protecting the environment, lawmakers are working hard to instead grow government and whittle away at personal choice and business prosperity.
SB1363 is scheduled to be heard by the House Finance Committee at 4 p.m. today in House conference room 308.
To see the status of this bill, go to: http://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session2011/lists/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=SB&billnumber=1363
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