STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1294-24

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 Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce, to which was referred S.B. No. 3021, S.D. 2, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO TRANSPORTATION,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to:

(1) Rename the Electric Bicycle and Electric Moped Rebate Program the Electric Mobility Rebate Program; and

(2) Expand eligibility and amend the maximum rebate amounts available under the Electric Mobility Rebate Program.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Transportation; Hawaii State Energy Office; Hawaii Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Commission; one member of the Kauaʻi County Council; Oahu Metropolitan Planning Organization; Hawaiʻi Bicycling League; Ulupono Initiative; Hawaii Electric Vehicle Association; Hawaiʻi Appleseed Center for Law & Economic Justice; 350Hawaii.org; Carbon Cashback Hawaiʻi; Blue Planet Foundation; Kauai Climate Action Coalition; and three individuals.

Your Committee finds that Hawaii households face two challenges with respect to transportation. The first is financial. For Hawaii households, owning a personal vehicle costs about $8,100 per year. The second is environmental. Ground transportation accounts for roughly twenty-five percent of greenhouse gas emissions in the State.

To address these dual challenges, your Committee finds that electric mobility devices, including adaptive electric bicycles, electric bicycles, electric cargo bikes, electric micro-mobility devices, and electric mopeds, offer a more affordable transportation option for Hawaii households while simultaneously reducing carbon emissions. This measure encourages the further adoption of electric mobility devices by creating multiple rebate levels, expanding the availability of the rebate, and increasing the amount additional qualified individuals would receive.

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. 3021, S.D. 2, H.D. 1, and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Finance.

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

____________________________

MARK M. NAKASHIMA, Chair