STAND. COM. REP. NO.  311

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2009

RE:   H.B. No. 1464

      H.D. 2

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Fifth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2009

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce, to which was referred H.B. No. 1464, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO ENERGY RESOURCES,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this bill is to promote alternative energy systems by:

     (1)  Clarifying the application of the law requiring solar water heater systems for new single-family residential construction and the procedures for obtaining variances;

     (2)  Requiring the Energy Resources Coordinator to publicize all variance applications and their dispositions within a certain time frame;

     (3)  Amending the provisions for claiming tax credits for renewable energy technologies used in single-family residences;

     (4)  Authorizing the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) to contract with the Public Benefits Fee Administrator to develop solar water heater system standards; and

     (5)  Allowing counties to enact more stringent requirements for solar water heater installations in new residential construction.

     The Gas Company and a concerned individual testified in support of this bill.  Hawaiian Electric Company, Hawaii Electric Light Company, and Maui Electric Company supported the intent of this measure.  The Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism, Department of Taxation, PUC, and Tax Foundation of Hawaii provided comments.

     Your Committee has amended this bill by eliminating the provision allowing counties to enact more stringent requirements for solar water heater installations in new residential construction.  Technical, nonsubstantive amendments were also made for clarity and style.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1464, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it be referred to the Committee on Finance in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1464, H.D. 2.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce,

____________________________

ROBERT N. HERKES, Chair