STAND. COM. REP. NO. 61-24

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2024

RE: H.B. No. 2100

H.D. 1

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2024

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Energy & Environmental Protection, to which was referred H.B. No. 2100 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO ENERGY,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to require the Public Utilities Commission to expand the Electric Vehicle Charging System Rebate Program to include rebates for the installation of certain electric vehicle-ready parking stalls for new construction of affordable housing.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from Hawaiʻi Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Commission; Hawaii State Energy Office; Blue Planet Foundation; Wild Kids; Clean the Pacific; Recycle Hawaii; Surfrider Foundation, Kauai Chapter; Ulupono Initiative; Climate Protectors Hawaiʻi; 350Hawaii.org; Democratic Party of Hawaiʻi; Hawaiian Electric; Hawaiʻi Energy; Greenpeace Hawaii; NAOIP Hawaii; Kauai Climate Action Coalition; and numerous individuals. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Public Utilities Commission.

Your Committee finds that the State's decarbonization and emissions-reduction goals necessitate the rapid transition to zero-emission vehicles that utilize local, renewable energy sources. Your Committee further finds that there is a lack of adequate vehicle charging infrastructure in the State, especially reliable options to charge at home. This measure would offer financial incentives for the installation of electric vehicle-ready parking stalls in new affordable housing to facilitate more widespread adoption of electric vehicles beyond the early adopters, who largely reside in single-family unit dwellings, and more equitable participation in the net-negative carbon economy.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Changing the effective date to July 1, 3000, to encourage further discussion; 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 Energy & Environmental Protection that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2100, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 2100, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Energy & Environmental Protection,

____________________________

NICOLE E. LOWEN, Chair