S.R. No. 45 Summary

• Requests the Department of Transportation to study the feasibility of using recycled plastic to repair roadways in Hawaii.

• Cites Hawaii's infrastructure receiving a D+ grade from the American Society of Civil Engineers and a projected $23,000,000 transportation infrastructure funding gap over twenty years.

• Notes that Texas, Iowa, and Missouri have already begun using recycled plastic in highway repair projects, and that techniques have been developed by entities including a United Kingdom startup and the University of Texas at Arlington.

• Identifies environmental benefits of diverting plastic waste from landfills and using bitumen more efficiently in roadway repairs.

• Requires the Department of Transportation to submit findings, recommendations, and any proposed legislation to the Legislature no later than twenty days prior to the Regular Session of 2021.