HI SB582

Amends Hawaii Revised Statutes Section 342D-1 to include "plastic" in the definition of "water pollutant" in the state's water pollution statutes

Adds plastic to the list of substances regulated as water pollutants, alongside existing categories such as sewage, garbage, chemical waste, and industrial waste

Addresses concerns about microplastics and plastic pollution contaminating Hawaii's coastal waters, damaging marine ecosystems, and threatening human health through the marine food web

Documents that all seven sea turtle species in Hawaiian waters have ingested plastic particles and over 40 percent of seabirds consume plastic with sometimes fatal effects

Takes effect on May 6, 2137