STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2471

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 2561

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirtieth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2020

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Energy, Economic Development, and Tourism, to which was referred S.B. No. 2561 entitled:

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

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to require retailers of household appliances to display available energy efficiency rebates and state-specific energy operation costs on the products.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Hawaii State Energy Office; Climate Protectors Coalition; Environmental Caucus of the Democratic Party of Hawaii; Our Revolution Hawaii; 350Hawaii; Blue Planet Foundation; We Are One, Inc; and fifteen individuals.

Your Committee finds that Hawaii businesses and residents pay the highest electricity rates in the nation, further exacerbating the already high cost of living and increasing monthly financial burdens. Your Committee believes that supplying information about available rebates and energy costs would enable consumers to make wise choices when selecting products that yield long-term savings as opposed to choosing a product solely based on the cost. According to the Appliance Standards Awareness Project, appliance efficiencies will yield Hawaii's consumers $537,000,000 net cost savings over fifteen years. This measure will help consumers make more informed decisions and save consumers money by providing more accurate cost information on available rebates in the State.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Energy, Economic Development, and Tourism that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2561 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to your Committee on Commerce, Consumer Protection, and Health.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Energy, Economic Development, and Tourism,

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GLENN WAKAI, Chair