STAND. COM. REP. NO. 408

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2023

RE: H.B. No. 194

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. 194 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO EFFICIENCY STANDARDS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to:

(1) Authorize the Chief Energy Officer of the Hawaii State Energy Office, instead of the Director of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism, to adopt rules to enforce minimum efficiency standards for certain products and adopt or amend minimum efficiency standards in certain situations; and

(2) Regulate the minimum efficiency standards for air purifiers, electric vehicle supply equipment, portable electric spas, residential ventilating fans, toilets, urinals, and water coolers.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Land and Natural Resources, Hawai‘i Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Commission, Hawai‘i Energy, Ulupono Initiative, Blue Planet Foundation, Appliance Standards Awareness Project, and thirteen individuals. Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Chief Housing Officer of the Office of the Governor, Hawaii State Energy Office, Plumbing Manufacturers International, and Home Ventilating Institute.

Your Committee finds that the State took notable steps of establishing minimum energy and water efficiency standards for certain products sold, leased, or rented in the State, which are estimated to result in significant cumulative utility bill savings for Hawaii over the next fifteen years. Additionally, water efficiency, a growing concern in the State, and energy efficiency are closely linked. This measure will lower the cost of electricity for residents, reduce air pollutants and greenhouse gas emissions, and ensure that the State's precious and vulnerable water resources are protected.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Deleting the definitions for "air purifier" and "industrial air purifier";

(2) Removing air purifiers from products that must meet certain minimum efficiency standards;

(3) Allowing manufacturers to utilize the Home Ventilating Institute's Certified Products Directory Certification Program to meet certain standards;

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

(5) 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 Energy & Environmental Protection that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 194, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 194, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce.

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

____________________________

NICOLE E. LOWEN, Chair