STAND. COM. REP. NO.  662

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2023

 

RE:   H.B. No. 1415

      H.D. 1

 

 

 

 

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2023

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Energy & Environmental Protection, to which was referred H.B. No. 1415 entitled:

 

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO ENERGY,"

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose of this measure is to require and appropriate funds for the Public Utilities Commission to administer an electric vehicle charging system loan program to provide loans to applicants who install eligible electric vehicle charging systems.

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Public Utilities Commission, Big Island Electric Vehicle Association, Hawaii Electric Vehicle Association, Climate Protectors Hawaii, Ulupono Initiative, 350Hawaii.org, and nineteen individuals.  Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from two individuals.  Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Budget and Finance.

 

     Your Committee finds that the adoption of electric vehicles in the State has grown in recent years and is expected to continue to grow at increasing rates.  However, there is a continuous need for a network of charging infrastructure to support this growth.  This measure ensures more accessibility to cleaner electric vehicle technologies, while advancing the State's overall energy and affordability goals.

 

     Your Committee has amended this measure by:

 

     (1)  Changing the effective date to June 30, 3000, to encourage further discussion; and

 

     (2)  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. 1415, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1415, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Finance.

 

 

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

 

 

 

 

____________________________

NICOLE E. LOWEN, Chair