Committee narrows single-use plastic toiletry ban for hotels; defines personal care products

The House Committee on Tourism on Jan. 28, 2025, voted to pass House Bill 348 with amendments that add a statutory definition of "personal care product" for the measure that would prohibit lodging establishments from providing personal care products in small plastic containers.

HB 348 would prohibit lodging establishments from supplying personal care products in small single-use plastic containers in sleeping-room accommodations and public bathrooms and would establish civil penalties. The committee amended the bill to define "personal care product" to mean shampoo, hair conditioner, bath soap or lotion.

Department of Health witnesses recommended the definition align with related measures and suggested including the word "lotion" to reduce ambiguity; the witness asked that the committee align the bill’s definition with prior precedent used in other states. The Hawaii Lodging and Tourism Association told the committee it supported the bill’s intent and said many hotels already are moving to bulk dispensers. Angela Melody Young, testifying as neutral for Roy Cares, said the committee should consider business operations and the cost of implementation and recommended caution on the use of civil penalties.

After amendments to add the definition the chair recommended passage with amendments; the committee adopted the recommendation. The committee recessed for decision making earlier in the hearing and reconvened to take the vote and pass the bill as amended.

The committee did not adopt further changes to penalty amounts or effective date on the floor; the final statutory text will be recorded in the committee report and bill file.