S.B. 960 Summary

• Prohibits state agencies from using state funds to purchase beverages in plastic bottles or rigid plastic containers, effective July 1, 2021.

• Establishes six exceptions to the prohibition: emergency response and public health needs by specified departments; purchases due to water contamination risks; licensed blind vendor program purchases; potable water for wildland firefighters; large public events with no reasonable alternatives; and incidental single-serving beverages for immediate consumption.

• Defines "plastic bottle" and "rigid plastic container" by reference to section 342H-41 of Hawaii Revised Statutes.

• Applies to all state agencies including executive, legislative, judicial branches and the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, with "state funds" broadly defined to include all appropriated or authorized moneys available to state agencies.