STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1890

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2023

RE: S.B. No. 691

S.D. 2

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 Consumer Protection & Commerce, to which was referred S.B. No. 691, S.D. 2, H.D. 1, entitled:

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

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to:

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

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

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Honolulu Board of Water Supply, Blue Planet Foundation, Hawai‘i Energy, Elemental Excelerator, Chamber of Commerce Hawai‘i, Hawai‘i Public Health Institute, Ulupono Initiative, Architects Hawai‘i, Hawai‘i Appleseed Center for Law & Economic Justice, Appliance Standards Awareness Project, Shifted Energy, The Hawai‘i Youth Climate Coalition, 350Hawaii.org, Our Revolution Hawai‘i, Sierra Club of Hawai‘i, Climate Protectors Hawai‘i, Trinity United Methodist Church, Blue Planet Energy, Wild Kids, and ten individuals. Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from the Retail Merchants of Hawaii. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Hawaii State Energy Office.

Your Committee finds that Hawaii businesses and consumers pay the highest electricity rates in the nation. Your Committee further finds that water conservation is significant priority as the increased incidence of drought conditions and recent environmental incidents have threatened significant portions of the State's drinking water supply. Efficiency standards ensure that the products purchased for use in the State use less energy and water, while maintaining quality, affordability, and progress toward the State's clean energy and climate goals.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Deleting a reference to air purifiers and electric vehicle supply equipment; and

(2) 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 Consumer Protection & Commerce that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 691, S.D. 2, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 691, S.D. 2, H.D. 2.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce,

____________________________

MARK M. NAKASHIMA, Chair