CONFERENCE COMMITTEE REP. NO. 25

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2023

RE: S.B. No. 691

S.D. 2

H.D. 2

C.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2023

State of Hawaii

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2023

State of Hawaii

Sirs:

Your Committee on Conference on the disagreeing vote of the Senate to the amendments proposed by the House of Representatives in S.B. No. 691, S.D. 2, H.D. 2, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO EFFICIENCY STANDARDS,"

having met, and after full and free discussion, has agreed to recommend and does recommend to the respective Houses the final passage of this bill in an amended form.

The purpose of this measure is to:

(1) Authorize the Chief Energy Officer of the Hawaii State Energy Office, instead of the Director of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism, to adopt rules to enforce minimum efficiency standards for certain products and adopt or amend minimum energy standards in certain situations; and

(2) Regulate the minimum efficiency standards for portable electric spas, residential ventilating fans, toilets, urinals, and water coolers.

Your Committee on Conference finds that the State's consumers could save millions of dollars each year on utility bills by expanding the list of products requiring minimum efficiency standards. Efficiency standards require that products use less energy and water, while maintaining product quality, and are consistent with the State's clean energy and climate goals. This measure will benefit consumers in the State by reducing utility bill costs, closing any gaps left in federal standards, and preventing manufacturers from sending appliances that do not comply with other states' efficiency standards to Hawaii.

Your Committee on Conference has amended this measure by:

(1) Changing the effective date to June 30, 2023; and

(2) Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity and consistency.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the managers of your Committee on Conference that is attached to this report, your Committee on Conference is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 691, S.D. 2, H.D. 2, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Final Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 691, S.D. 2, H.D. 2, C.D. 1.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the managers:

ON THE PART OF THE HOUSE

ON THE PART OF THE SENATE

____________________________ NICOLE E. LOWEN Co-Chair	____________________________ LYNN DECOITE Chair
____________________________ MARK M. NAKASHIMA Co-Chair	____________________________ JARRETT KEOHOKALOLE Co-Chair