STAND. COM. REP. NO. 450-26

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2026

RE: H.B. No. 1566

H.D. 1

Honorable Nadine K. Nakamura

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2026

State of Hawaii

Madame:

Your Committee on Energy & Environmental Protection, to which was referred H.B. No. 1566 entitled:

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

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to require:

(1) All state agencies to use energy efficient lighting; and

(2) The Hawaii State Energy Office to provide technical assistance and survey state agencies for compliance, with priority given to first responder facilities, and submit a report of the survey to the Legislature.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Hawaiʻi Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Commission; Climate Protectors Hawaiʻi; and three individuals. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Accounting and General Services and Hawaiʻi State Energy Office.

Your Committee finds that there have been many advances in energy efficient lighting, including light‑emitting diodes that are significantly more energy efficient and longer lasting than alternative bulb types, do not contain mercury, and are a lower life-cycle cost option for consumers and businesses. Your Committee further finds that despite previously enacting a phased-in prohibition on the sale, offering for sale, and distribution for sale of certain newly manufactured compact fluorescent lamps, the State has not moved expeditiously to implement energy efficient lighting options in its own buildings. This measure mandates the State to lead by example in its use of energy efficient lighting.

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. 1566, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1566, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Finance.

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

____________________________

NICOLE E. LOWEN, Chair