STAND. COM. REP. NO. 581-24

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2024

RE: H.B. No. 1972

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 Consumer Protection & Commerce, to which was referred H.B. No. 1972, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO ELECTRIC VEHICLE BATTERIES,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to establish an Electric Vehicle Battery Recycling and Reuse Working Group to examine how to maximize the recycling and reuse of electric vehicle batteries and recommend electric vehicle battery management practices.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Health; Hawaii State Energy Office; Zero Waste Oʻahu; and one individual. Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from one individual. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Alliance for Automotive Innovation; Radius Recycling; and Redwood Materials.

Your Committee finds that electric vehicle batteries contain critical materials that have the realistic potential to continue serving the energy economy, assuming the electric vehicle battery waste stream is managed well in the reverse supply chain. The proper management of these batteries will result in source materials for one of the most important components in the clean transportation sector. This measure convenes a working group to examine how to maximize the recycling and reuse of electric vehicle batteries.

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. 1972, H.D. 1, and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Finance.

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

____________________________

MARK M. NAKASHIMA, Chair