STAND. COM. REP. NO. 236

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2023

RE: H.B. No. 1252

H.D. 1

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2023

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Energy & Environmental Protection, to which was referred H.B. No. 1252 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO ENERGY,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to:

(1) Beginning with calendar year 2024, require that electric vehicle-ready parking stalls for new construction be integrated as a criterion in the low-income housing tax credit qualified allocation plan; and

(2) Provide rebates for eligible electric vehicle-ready parking stalls for new construction of affordable housing.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Hawaii State Energy Office; Public Utilities Commission; County of Kaua‘i Office of Economic Development; City and County of Honolulu Office of Climate Change, Sustainability, and Resiliency; Hawai‘i Energy; Stirling Industries, LLC; Hawaiian Electric; Ulupono Initiative; Kauai Women's Caucus; Big Island Electric Vehicle Association; 350Hawaii.org; Environmental Caucus of the Democratic Party of Hawai‘i; Climate Protectors Hawaii; Hawaii Electric Vehicle Association; Blue Planet Foundation; and numerous individuals. Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from EAH Housing and one individual. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Taxation, Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation, Tax Foundation of Hawaii, and NAIOP Hawaii.

Your Committee finds that while there is growing adoption of electric vehicles among Hawaii residents, the lack of adequate vehicle charging infrastructure presents a barrier to widespread adoption, particularly for low-income families who are unable to access the savings and other benefits associated with electric vehicle ownership. Additionally, parking stalls for affordable housing units are not constructed to be electric vehicle-ready because of the added cost and certain exemptions. This measure provides incentives for electric vehicle-ready new construction for affordable housing, further assisting the State in meeting its decarbonization goals and other emissions-reduction commitments.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Clarifying certain provisions related to the guidelines to be considered by the Public Utilities Commission in administering the Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure Rebate Program, including priority given to electric vehicle-ready parking stalls in new construction of affordable housing units;

(2) Changing the effective date to June 30, 3000, to encourage further discussion; and

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

Your Committee notes that the intent of this measure is to provide incentives for electric vehicle-ready new construction and not to create an additional mandate.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Energy & Environmental Protection that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1252, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1252, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Housing.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Energy & Environmental Protection,

____________________________

NICOLE E. LOWEN, Chair