STAND. COM. REP. NO. 55

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2023

RE: H.B. No. 199

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. 199 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE ENVIRONMENT,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to:

(1) Establish a Zero-Emission Vehicle Fleet Purchasing Assistance Program within the Hawaii State Energy Office to support the transition of private fleets to zero-emission vehicles; and

(2) Require the Hawaii State Energy Office to:

(A) Work with the Department of Transportation to design strategies to implement the Program; and

(B) Submit a progress report to the Legislature prior to the Regular Session of 2024.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Hawaii Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Commission, Ulupono Initiative, Kauai Climate Action Coalition, Climate Protectors Hawaii, Hawaii Transportation Association, Hawaii Electric Vehicle Association, and three individuals. Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from one individual. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Hawaii State Energy Office and Hawai‘i Automobile Dealers' Association.

Your Committee finds that the use of fossil fuels is the State's primary contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, which, through climate change, pose a serious threat to the State's economic well-being, public health, infrastructure, and environment. Although the transportation sector accounts for the use of two-thirds of the oil imported into the State, the adoption of more zero-emission vehicles could provide a viable, cost-effective alternative to vehicles that run on fossil fuel. This measure supports the State's clean ground transportation goals and provides an opportunity for the State to achieve its goal of becoming carbon neutral by 2045.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Extending the deadline for the Hawaii State Energy Office to submit a report to the Legislature to prior to the Regular Session of 2025;

(2) Changing the effective date to July 1, 3000, 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. 199, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 199, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the

Committee on Energy & Environmental Protection,

____________________________

NICOLE E. LOWEN, Chair