THE SENATE	S.R. NO.	69
THIRTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2023
STATE OF HAWAII

SENATE RESOLUTION

requesting the hawaii state energy office to conduct a study to determine the extent to which owners of multiple PROPERTIES THAT ARE places of public accommodation within the State aggregate their REQUIRED parking spaces and choose to designate and electrify parking spaces in a county that is not the same county where the majority of the parking spaces are located.

WHEREAS, the preservation and protection of the State's natural resources for current and future generations is of the utmost importance; and

WHEREAS, electrification of the State's transportation system is urgently needed to reduce carbon emissions and to accomplish the State's energy and emission goals of carbon neutrality by 2045; and

WHEREAS, ground transportation accounts for one-quarter of the State's energy emissions; and

WHEREAS, the share of new cars in the State that are electric vehicles is steadily increasing each year, and with this increase in electric vehicles comes an increased demand for charging capability; and

WHEREAS, statewide public vehicle charging capabilities should provide the same opportunities for all persons and provide the opportunity for as many drivers as possible to switch to electric vehicles; and

WHEREAS, existing law requires retailers that offer one hundred parking spaces to include at least one electric vehicle parking stall per one hundred spaces; and

WHEREAS, existing law allows electric vehicle charging stations to be distributed in an aggregated fashion on all of the owners properties within the State, which allows retailers to place the required stalls in a single location; and

WHEREAS, the practice of placing required electric vehicle charging stalls in a single location could potentially leave the State's residents in certain counties without charging capabilities; and

WHEREAS, the ability to charge an electric vehicle has become one of the largest barriers to potential owners of electric vehicles; now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Thirty-second Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2023, that the Hawaii State Energy Office is requested to conduct a study to determine the extent to which owners of multiple properties that are places of public accommodation within the State pursuant to section 291-71, Hawaii Revised Statutes, aggregate their required parking spaces and choose to designate and provide electrified parking spaces in a county that is not the same county where the majority of their required parking spaces are located; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Hawaii State Energy Office is requested to submit a report of its findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, to the Legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2024; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the Director of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism; Chief Energy Officer of the Hawaii State Energy Office; Mayor of the City and County of Honolulu; Mayor of the County of Maui; Mayor of the County of Kauai; and Mayor of the County of Hawaii.

OFFERED BY:

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Report Title:

Hawaii State Energy Office; Study; Report; Electric Vehicles; Parking Spaces; Public Accommodation