STAND. COM. REP. NO. 34-20

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2020

RE: H.B. No. 1845

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 Energy & Environmental Protection, to which was referred H.B. No. 1845 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGING STATION REBATE PROGRAM,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to appropriate funds for the Electrical Vehicle Charging System Rebate Program.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Hawaii State Energy Office, Hawaiian Electric, Pono Hawaii Initiative, Ulupono Initiative, Hawaii Automobile Dealers' Association, Blue Planet Hawaii, Climate Protectors Coalition, Our Revolution Hawaii, Hawaii Electric Vehicle Association and Big Island Electric Vehicle Association, 350Hawaii, Hawaii Solar Energy Association, and nineteen individuals. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Hawaii Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Commission and Public Utilities Commission.

Your Committee finds that the lack of electric vehicle charging systems remains a barrier to the more widespread use of electric vehicles. Hawaii must accelerate a transition to cleaner transportation to reach its carbon emissions reduction goals. In accordance with legislation enacted in 2019, the Public Utilities Commission, through Hawaii Energy, launched the Electric Vehicle Charging System Rebate Program (Program) to offer rebates for eligible new or upgraded electric vehicle charging systems. The Program incentivizes electric vehicle charging infrastructure buildout, and additional funds would allow the Program to have greater impact.

Your Committee has amended this measure by changing its effective date to July 1, 2050, to encourage further discussion.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Energy & Environmental Protection that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1845, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1845, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Transportation.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Energy & Environmental Protection,

____________________________

NICOLE E. LOWEN, Chair