STAND. COM. REP. NO. 6

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 Energy & Environmental Protection, to which was referred H.B. No. 555 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 and Public Benefits Fee Administrator to give notice to retailers.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Blue Planet Foundation, Hawai‘i Energy, and Climate Protectors Coalition. Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers and Retail Merchants of Hawaii. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Public Utilities Commission and Hawaii State Energy Office.

Your Committee finds that Hawaii businesses and residents pay among the highest electricity rates in the nation, which reinforces the importance of adopting policies that promote and encourage energy efficiency. By requiring retailers to display information in retail stores about available rebates and Hawaii-specific operating costs of certain appliances, consumers can make informed decisions about which models best align with their economic situation and preferences.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Clarifying that the Hawaii State Energy Office shall publish signage requirements for household appliances on its website and provide the Public Benefits Fee Administrator a draft notification letter to be distributed to retail establishments, rather than notify all retailers subject to the signage requirements;

(2) Changing the effective date to July 1, 2050, to encourage further discussion; and

(3) 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 Energy & Environmental Protection that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 555, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 555, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Economic Development.

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

____________________________

NICOLE E. LOWEN, Chair