STAND. COM. REP. NO. 310

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2021

RE: H.B. No. 116

H.D. 2

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2021

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce, to which was referred H.B. No. 116, H.D. 1, entitled:

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

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to:

(1) Authorize the Chief Energy Officer of the Hawaii State Energy Office to adopt rules to enforce minimum efficiency standards for certain products and establish or amend appliance efficiency standards in certain situations; and

(2) Regulate the appliance efficiency standards for air purifiers and portable electric spas.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Public Utilities Commission, Public Benefits Fee Administrator, Blue Planet Foundation, Consumer Federation of America, Natural Resources Defense Council, Appliance Standards Awareness Project, and Pool & Hot Tub Alliance. Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Hawaii State Energy Office and Plumbing Manufacturers International.

Your Committee finds that the State has established minimum energy and water efficiency standards for certain products sold, leased, or rented in the State that promote and encourage energy efficiency. Expanding the list of products requiring minimum efficiency standards can help save millions of dollars on utility bills annually and offer additional benefits for Hawaii residents, local businesses, the environment, and economy.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Removing provisions that would have regulated the appliance efficiency standards for air purifiers; and

(2) Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity, consistency, 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. 116, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Finance in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 116, H.D. 2.

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

____________________________

AARON LING JOHANSON, Chair