Hawai’i County Councilwoman Kills One Landfill Bill, Keeps Another

A Hawai’i County councilwoman killed one landfill-related bill and kept another with amendments last week.

Kohala Councilwoman Margaret Wille sponsored two bills recently that aim to amend county codes relating to the way islanders dispose of their rubbish.

Wille killed bill 32, but kept bill 33 with amendments.

Bill 32 would have required the county environmental management director to implement a partial pay-per-bag fee program for refuse to be landfilled, and would have permitted for each household and business to have one, 33-gallon bag of refuse per week to be landfilled without a fee.

If passed, the amended bill 33 would allow for commercial haulers to use transfer stations for a fee.

Currently commercial haulers are not permitted to use transfer stations and would be allowed to under the legislation if they receive a permit and pay a fee.

The bill was referred to the county Environmental Management Commission and the county environmental management director for comments.