STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1051

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2023

RE: H.B. No. 187

H.D. 2

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2023

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce, to which was referred H.B. No. 187, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO RENEWABLE ENERGY,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to establish labor requirements for the construction of large-scale renewable energy projects.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Pacific Resource Partnership, Operating Engineers Local Union No. 3, Hawaii Regional Council of Carpenters, and one individual. Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from the Legislative Committee of Associated Builders and Contractors, Hawaii Chapter and General Contractors Association of Hawaii. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations, Hawaii State Energy Office, Office of Information Practices, and Hawaiian Electric.

Your Committee finds that the State's commitment to ensuring that one hundred percent of all electrical energy be generated using renewable energy necessitates the development of large-scale renewable energy projects. Your Committee further finds that such projects should be in compliance with fair labor practices that reflect the values of the State. This measure will foster the mentoring and development of a skilled, in-state workforce, while offering workers long-term career opportunities in a burgeoning industry and the ability to earn a living wage with benefits.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Specifying that this measure applies to large-scale renewable energy projects with a capacity rating of ten megawatts or greater; and

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

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 H.B. No. 187, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 187, H.D. 2.

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

____________________________

MARK M. NAKASHIMA, Chair