STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3773

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: H.B. No. 2685

H.D. 2

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2024

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred H.B. No. 2685, H.D. 2, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO ENERGY,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to equitably expand access to clean energy.

More specifically, this measure establishes:

(1) The Solar Hui Program, in which multi-family residential property owners may co-invest in solar systems for low‑ and moderate-income households;

(2) The solar hui investment fund; and

(3) A Solar Hui Program Fund Manager position.

Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the Hawaii Green Infrastructure Authority, Blue Planet Foundation, Climate Protectors Hawaii, Hawaii Executive Collaborative's Climate Coalition, Hawaii REALTORS, and 350 Hawaii.

Your Committee received written comments on this measure from the Department of Budget and Finance and the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, Division of Consumer Advocacy.

Your Committee finds that the equitable expansion of solar energy provided by this measure will help the State reach its renewable energy and decarbonization goals.

Your Committee notes that, in its written comments, the Hawaii Green Infrastructure Authority requested an appropriation of $125,000 plus fringe out of the Hawaii green infrastructure special fund for the implementation of the Solar Hui Program.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Ways and Means that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2685, H.D. 2, S.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Ways and Means,

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DONOVAN M. DELA CRUZ, Chair