STAND. COM. REP. NO. 623

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2023

RE: H.B. No. 1252

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 Housing, to which was referred H.B. No. 1252, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO ENERGY,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to:

(1) Beginning with calendar year 2024, require that electric vehicle-ready parking stalls for new construction be integrated as a criterion in the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit Qualified Allocation Plan; and

(2) Provide rebates for eligible electric vehicle-ready parking stalls in new construction of affordable housing.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Public Utilities Commission; Hawaii State Energy Office; Hawai‘i Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Commission; Office of Climate Change, Sustainability and Resiliency of the City and County of Honolulu; Office of Economic Development of the County of Kaua‘i; Blue Planet Foundation; Hawaiian Electric; 350Hawaii.org; Ulupono Initiative; Climate Protectors Hawaii; Big Island Electric Vehicle Association; Alliance for Automotive Innovation; Hawai‘i Energy; and thirteen individuals. Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from one individual. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Taxation, Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation, Tax Foundation of Hawaii, and NAIOP Hawaii.

Your Committee finds that electrical vehicles continue to gain popularity among residents due to their positive impact on the environment. However, your Committee further finds that much of the State's infrastructure is not electric vehicle-ready, particularly affordable housing developments. This measure will ensure that new construction of affordable housing is prepared to serve residents with electric vehicles by having electric vehicle-ready parking stalls installed.

Your Committee notes the concern regarding whether affordable housing projects that are currently under development but will not be completed until after this measure takes effect will be eligible to claim a rebate under this measure. Your Committee therefore respectfully asks pertinent stakeholders to address this concern as this measure moves through the legislative process.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Deleting language that would have required, beginning with calendar year 2024, that electric vehicle-ready parking stalls for new construction be integrated as a criterion in the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit Qualified Allocation Plan;

(2) Specifying that fifty percent of the total number of electric vehicle-ready parking stalls installed in a new affordable housing project will be eligible for the rebate under this measure; 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 Housing that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1252, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Finance in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1252, H.D. 2.

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

____________________________

TROY N. HASHIMOTO, Chair