STAND. COM. REP. NO. 510

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2021

RE: H.B. No. 552

H.D. 1

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. 552, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE ENVIRONMENT,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to:

(1) Require that the procurement policy for all agencies purchasing or leasing medium- and heavy-duty motor vehicles be to seek vehicles that reduce dependence on petroleum-based fuels that meet the needs of the agency, where feasible and cost-effective;

(2) Establish clean ground transportation goals for state agencies on a staggered basis until achieving a complete inventory of clean state-owned, light-duty motor vehicles by December 31, 2035; and

(3) Require state and county agencies to purchase building materials that reduce the carbon footprint of the project for use on the construction of new roads, where feasible and cost-effective.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Transportation, Hawaii State Energy Office, Imua Alliance, Hawaiian Electric Company, Ulupono Initiative, Alliance for Automotive Innovation, Climate Protectors Hawaii, Blue Planet Foundation, Environmental Caucus of the Democratic Party of Hawai‘i, Hawaii Automobile Dealers Association, Hawaii Electric Vehicle Association, and two individuals. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the State Procurement Office and 350Hawaii.org.

Your Committee finds that the State has established multiple goals to reduce the consumption of fossil fuels and carbon emissions with its renewable portfolio standards goals and Zero Emissions Clean Economy Target. Your Committee further finds that the State should act as a leader in efforts to reduce the consumption of fossil fuels and carbon emissions. This measure helps to achieve those goals by transitioning State-owned vehicles from fossil fuel-powered motor vehicles to renewable energy-powered motor vehicles.

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. 552, H.D. 1, and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Finance.

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

____________________________

AARON LING JOHANSON, Chair