STAND. COM. REP. NO. 338-22

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2022

RE: H.B. No. 1800

H.D. 1

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2022

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce, to which was referred H.B. No. 1800, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO CLIMATE MITIGATION,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to:

(1) Establish a goal for the statewide greenhouse gas emissions limit to be at least seventy percent below 2005 levels by 2030;

(2) Require the Director of Health to report the baseline measurement of the 2005 greenhouse gas emissions in the State and to complete a greenhouse gas emissions inventory report each year to track emissions and determine the State's progress in the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions; and

(3) Require and appropriate funds for the Hawaii State Energy Office to conduct a study to determine Hawaii's pathway to decarbonization and identify challenges, opportunities, and actions that will be needed to achieve those goals.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Health, Hawaii State Energy Office, Imua Alliance, Blue Planet Foundation, Climate Protectors Hawaii, 350Hawaii.org, and three individuals. Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from one individual. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Public Utilities Commission and Hawaiian Electric Company.

Your Committee finds that climate change poses immediate and long-term threats to the State's economy, public health, environment, and way of life. This measure will establish an intermediate goal to encourage further action toward achieving the Zero Emissions Clean Economy Target to sequester more atmospheric carbon and greenhouse gases than emitted by 2045.

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. 1800, 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