STAND. COM. REP. NO.  309

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2023

 

RE:   H.B. No. 419

      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. 419 entitled:

 

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO RESIDENTIAL PHOTOVOLTAIC ENERGY GENERATING SYSTEMS,"

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose of this measure is to require the counties to exempt from county permitting requirements the installation of off-grid residential photovoltaic energy generating systems on the rooftops of residential properties, under certain circumstances.

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Environmental Caucus of the Democratic Party of Hawaii, Climate Protectors Hawaii, Elected Officials to Protect America, and two individuals.

 

     Your Committee finds that taking advantage of available rooftop space for solar photovoltaics will be critical for the State in achieving its one hundred percent renewable energy target.  This measure provides the counties with flexibility in their permitting requirements for the installation of off-grid residential photovoltaic energy generating systems, allowing for greater adoption of clean energy technology and infrastructure to achieve the State's goals of energy self-sufficiency, energy security, and energy diversification.

 

     Your Committee has amended this measure by changing the effective date to June 30, 3000, to encourage further discussion.

 

     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. 419, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 419, 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