STAND. COM. REP. NO. 682

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 934

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2021

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Judiciary, to which was referred S.B. No. 934 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO MEASUREMENT STANDARDS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to exempt hydrogen fuels from petroleum product measurement requirements.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Hawaii State Energy Office, Hawaii Food Industry Association, Hawaii Hydrogen Alliance, Servco, Blue Planet Foundation, Ulupono Initiative, Alliance for Automotive Innovation, and Western States Hydrogen Alliance.

Your Committee finds that hydrogen has an important role to play in Hawai‘i's energy portfolio, as a carbon-free energy storage mechanism, potential means of providing grid support, and provider of pollution-free fuel for both electricity and transportation. However, the current definition of fuel is so broad that it does not exclude hydrogen. Therefore, hydrogen must be sold on the basis of measure. There is currently no means for the State to measure and certify a hydrogen dispenser. The supporting infrastructure, technical expertise, and imported equipment are needed. This measure is intended to remove the requirements that hinder the sale and commercial use of hydrogen in the State.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Judiciary that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 934 and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Judiciary,

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KARL RHOADS, Chair