STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1004

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2023

RE: H.B. No. 949

H.D. 2

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2023

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Finance, to which was referred H.B. No. 949, H.D. 2, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO RENEWABLE ENERGY,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to:

(1) Establish and appropriate funds for a Solar Energy Storage System Loan Program to provide asset limited, income constrained, employed households with low-interest loans to purchase and install solar energy storage systems; and

(2) Establish and appropriate funds for a Renewable Energy System Installation Loan Program to provide asset limited, income constrained, employed households with low-interest loans to purchase and install residential photovoltaic and energy storage systems, including battery storage systems.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, Kaua‘i Climate Action Coalition, Malama Kaua‘i, Climate Protectors Hawai‘i, Ulupono Initiative, 350Hawaii.org, Hawaiian Electric, Hawaii Environmental Change Agents' Decarbonization of Buildings Task Force, Hawaii Solar Energy Association, Environmental Caucus of the Democratic Party of Hawai‘i, Chamber of Sustainable Commerce, and fifteen individuals. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism; Department of Budget and Finance; and Hawaii Green Infrastructure Authority.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Finance that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 949, H.D. 2, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

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

____________________________

KYLE T. YAMASHITA, Chair