STAND. COM. REP. NO. 932-20

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2020

RE: H.B. No. 1604

H.D. 1

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirtieth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2020

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce, to which was referred H.B. No. 1604, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO CONSUMER PROTECTION,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to require retailers of household appliances to conspicuously display on household appliances available energy efficiency rebates and Hawaii-specific energy costs for operation.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Hawaii State Energy Office; Public Utilities Commission; Blue Planet Foundation; 350Hawaii; Climate Protectors Coalition; We Are One, Inc.; and eleven individuals. Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers and Retail Merchants of Hawaii.

Your Committee finds that supplying information about available rebates and energy costs in the State will present a more accurate picture of how much an appliance will cost to operate by a household in Hawaii, which will enable consumers to make more informed choices by choosing products that yield long-term savings as opposed to choosing primarily on lowest initial cost.

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. 1604, H.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

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

____________________________

ROY M. TAKUMI, Chair