STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2488

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 3061

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2024

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Energy, Economic Development, and Tourism, to which was referred S.B. No. 3061 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE SOLAR ENERGY STORAGE LOAN PROGRAM,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to clarify part III of Act 164, Session Laws of Hawaii 2023, as it pertains to the appropriation for the Solar Energy Storage Loan Program.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism; Hawaii Green Infrastructure Authority; Climate Protectors Hawaiʻi; Hawaii Solar Energy Association; and four individuals.

Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Public Utilities Commission.

Your Committee finds that Act 164, Session Laws of Hawaii 2023, appropriated general funds to the Solar Energy Storage Loan Program. Directing these funds to the Clean Energy and Energy Efficiency Revolving Loan Fund ensures a continuous and sustainable source of funding to finance solar and storage installations. Your Committee further finds that this measure helps to address the immediate financial challenges faced by the State's residents due to inflation and rising energy costs and also creates a long-term solution to support underserved ratepayers.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Inserting an effective date of January 1, 2050, to encourage further discussion; and

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

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Energy, Economic Development, and Tourism that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 3061, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 3061, S.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Energy, Economic Development, and Tourism,

________________________________

LYNN DECOITE, Chair