STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2555

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 2777

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2024

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committees on Transportation and Culture and the Arts and Energy, Economic Development, and Tourism, to which was referred S.B. No. 2777 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO HIGHWAYS,"

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to:

(1) Establish the Highways Clean Energy Technology Pilot Program within the Department of Transportation;

(2) Require a report to the Legislature; and

(3) Make an appropriation.

Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Transportation and one individual.

Your Committees received testimony in opposition to this measure from one individual.

Your Committees find that other jurisdictions across the country have successfully and safely deployed solar power by installing solar panels in shoulders and medians. Your Committees further find that there is an opportunity to generate renewable energy using lands in the state highways rights-of-way by replicating similar measures in the State. This measure will contribute to achieving the State's clean energy goals while achieving energy security and resilience in rural communities.

Your Committees have amended this measure by:

(1) Inserting language to expand the purview of the Highways Clean Energy Technology Pilot Program to include all property owned by the Department of Transportation on the island of Molokai; and

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

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Transportation and Culture and the Arts and Energy, Economic Development, and Tourism that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2777, as amended herein, and recommend that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 2777, S.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Transportation and Culture and the Arts and Energy, Economic Development, and Tourism,

________________________________ LYNN DECOITE, Chair

________________________________ CHRIS LEE, Chair