STAND. COM. REP. NO. 59-24

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2024

RE: H.B. No. 1970

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 Energy & Environmental Protection, to which was referred H.B. No. 1970 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO ENERGY,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to require solar conduit- and electrical panel-readiness for certain new residential construction offered for sale at fair market value and electric vehicle-readiness when an electrical panel and parking area are installed.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Hawaiʻi Climate Change Mitigation and Adaption Commission; Clean the Pacific; Recycle Hawaii; Kauai Climate Action Coalition; Surfrider Foundation, Kauai Chapter; Ulupono Initiative; Blue Planet Foundation; Climate Protectors Hawaiʻi; 350Hawaii.org; Hawaiian Electric; Greenpeace Hawaii; Alliance for Automotive Innovation; and numerous individuals. Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from NAIOP Hawaii. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Hawaiʻi State Energy Office and Building Industry Association of Hawaii.

Your Committee finds that the State must facilitate the installation of infrastructure for photovoltaic systems and electric vehicles in order to meet its goal of transitioning completely to renewable energy by 2045. Your Committee further finds that it is more cost-efficient to include this infrastructure during the construction of new homes rather than as retrofits after construction has been completed. Your Committee believes that this measure addresses this need by requiring solar conduit- and electrical panel-readiness for certain new residential construction and electrical vehicle-readiness when an electrical panel and parking area are installed.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Changing the effective date to July 1, 3000, to encourage further discussion; 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 Energy & Environmental Protection that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1970, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1970, 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