STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1239-24

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2024

RE: S.B. No. 3103

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 Labor & Government Operations, to which was referred S.B. No. 3103, S.D. 2, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO ENERGY,"

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to require persons who construct a renewable energy generation project sited in the State to provide a signed attestation or declaration regarding compliance with project labor standards to the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism.

Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations; Hawaii State Energy Office; Pacific Resource Partnership; Operating Engineers Local Union No. 3; Hawaii Regional Council of Carpenters; and Blue Planet Foundation. Your Committees received comments on this measure from Hawaiian Electric and Tesla.

Your Committees find that this measure will stimulate the economy and help the State move toward the goal of one hundred percent renewable energy by 2045. Requiring new large-scale renewable energy projects to pay a prevailing wage will help ensure that workers are compensated fairly and that certain requirements for federal funding or credits are met. Your Committees further find that this measure will provide jobs and opportunities in the State for the renewable energy and construction industries.

Your Committees have amended this measure by:

(1) Narrowing the definition of "construction" to exclude off-site construction and fabrication and post-construction equipment testing or inspection;

(2) Adding a definition for "renewable energy";

(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.

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Energy & Environmental Protection and Labor & Government Operations that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 3103, S.D. 2, as amended herein, and recommend that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 3103, 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 Labor & Government Operations,

____________________________ SCOT Z. MATAYOSHI, Chair

____________________________ NICOLE E. LOWEN, Chair