S.B. 1458 - Extended Producer Responsibility Program

• Establishes an Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) program requiring large producers of packaged consumer goods ("covered producers") to register with the Department of Health and pay annual fees based on packaging volume placed on the market.

• Defines "covered producers" as those producing over 10,000 metric tons of packaging internationally or having international gross sales exceeding $500,000,000 in fast-moving consumer goods.

• Creates the Extended Producer Responsibility Special Fund to collect registration fees ($100 per metric ton of packaging) and directs funds toward county waste reduction assessments and grants for reuse and refill infrastructure projects.

• Requires each county to develop a needs assessment identifying resources necessary to reduce packaging waste sent to landfills by 50% and 80% from baseline volumes by dates to be determined by rule.

• Prohibits covered producers from selling fast-moving consumer goods in Hawaii without registration and compliance; violations subject to penalties up to $1,000 for first violation and $2,000 for subsequent violations.

• Sunsets the act five years after department rules are adopted, though counties and the Department of Health may continue expending remaining fund balances consistent with the act.