STAND.
COM. REP. NO. 524
Honolulu, Hawaii
, 2021
RE: H.B. No. 555
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 Economic Development, to which was referred H.B. No. 555, 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:
(1) Require
retailers of household appliances to conspicuously display available energy
efficiency rebates funded by the public benefits fee and state-specific energy
operation costs;
(2) Direct the Public Benefits Fee Administrator
to create and update the template to be used by retailers; and
(3) Require the Hawaii State Energy Office to publish signage requirements for household appliances on its website and provide a draft notification letter to the Public Benefits Fee Administrator to be distributed to retailers.
Your Committee
received testimony in support of this measure from the Blue Planet Foundation, Hawai‘i
Energy, and Climate Protectors Hawaii. Your
Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from the Retail
Merchants of Hawaii. Your Committee
received comments on this measure from the Hawaii State Energy Office and
Public Utilities Commission.
Your Committee finds that the State's high
cost of living underscores the importance of adopting policies that promote
energy efficiency. This measure provides
further opportunities to educate consumers about the benefits of energy
efficiency, including reduced energy costs and available rebates.
As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Economic Development that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 555, H.D. 1, and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce.
Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Economic Development,
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____________________________ SEAN QUINLAN, Chair |
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