STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1088-24

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2024

RE: S.B. No. 3021

S.D. 2

H.D. 1

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2024

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committees on Energy & Environmental Protection and Transportation, to which was referred S.B. No. 3021, S.D. 2, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO TRANSPORTATION,"

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to:

(1) Change the name of the Electric Bicycle and Electric Moped Rebate Program to the Electric Mobility Rebate Program;

(2) Expand the Program to include adaptive electric bicycles and electric micro-mobility devices;

(3) Expand the Program to individuals who are fifteen years or older; and

(4) Increase the maximum rebate amount for the Program to $750 and establish an additional assistance rebate for individuals who meet certain qualifications.

Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Transportation; Hawaii State Energy Office; Hawaiʻi Climate Change Mitigation and Adaption Commission; Oahu Metropolitan Planning Organization; one member of the Kauaʻi County Council; Ulupono Initiative; Blue Planet Foundation; Hawaiʻi Appleseed Center for Law and Economic Justice; Hawaiʻi Bicycling League; and seven individuals.

Your Committees find that electric bicycles, electric mopeds, adaptive electric bicycles, and electric micro-mobility devices are more cost effective, environmentally friendly alternatives to gas-powered motor vehicles. This measure would expand the types of devices eligible for the Electric Mobility Rebate Program, increase the maximum rebate, and establish an additional assistance rebate for individuals that meet certain criteria.

Your Committees have amended this measure by:

(1) Changing the rebates to unspecified amounts;

(2) Adding electric cargo bikes to the types of devices eligible for the individual electric mobility rebate and additional assistance rebate;

(3) Changing the effective date to July 1, 3000, to encourage further discussion; and

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

Your Committees respectfully request your Committee on Finance, should it deliberate on this measure, to consider the following maximum rebate amounts:

(1) $750 for the individual electric mobility rebate and $750 for the additional assistance rebate;

(2) $10,000 for the non-profit organization electric mobility rebate; and

(3) $2,000,000 in total rebates per fiscal year.

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Energy & Environmental Protection and Transportation that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 3021, S.D. 2, as amended herein, and recommend that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 3021, S.D. 2, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Energy & Environmental Protection and Transportation,

____________________________ CHRIS TODD, Chair

____________________________ NICOLE E. LOWEN, Chair