STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1598-24

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2024

RE: S.B. No. 3103

S.D. 2

H.D. 2

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 S.B. No. 3103, S.D. 2, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO ENERGY,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to require persons who construct a large-scale renewable energy generation project sited in the State to provide a signed attestation or declaration regarding compliance with project labor standards to the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations; Hawaiʻi State Energy Office; Pacific Resource Partnership; Hawaii Regional Council of Carpenters; and Operating Engineers Local Union No. 3. Your Committee received comments on this measure from Hawaiian Electric and Tesla.

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 a succession 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 the burgeoning renewable energy sector and the ability to earn a living wage with benefits.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Inserting an exception in the event that a person constructing a covered project is unable to find contractors and subcontractors able and willing to meet the labor standards set forth in this measure; 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 S.B. No. 3103, S.D. 2, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 3103, S.D. 2, H.D. 2.

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

____________________________

MARK M. NAKASHIMA, Chair