HB 921 Summary

• Establishes an Environmental Crimes Unit within the Department of the Attorney General in cooperation with the Department of Health to investigate and prosecute violations of air and water quality, hazardous waste, underground storage tanks, pesticides, and regulated chemical laws.

• Makes intentional, knowing, or reckless violation of motor vehicle tire disposal laws a petty misdemeanor punishable by fines up to $25,000, imprisonment up to 30 days, or permit revocation, with each day of violation constituting a separate offense.

• Imposes a $1 surcharge on every replacement tire installed on motor vehicles in Hawaii after September 30, 2023, to be paid by tire retailers and wholesalers and reported quarterly.

• Requires surcharge revenues to be deposited into the Environmental Management Special Fund and used for tire management permitting, enforcement, recycling promotion, illegal dumping prevention, and funding the Environmental Crimes Unit.

• Appropriates unspecified funds for fiscal years 2023-2024 and 2024-2025 to establish and operate the Environmental Crimes Unit; effective June 30, 3000.