STAND. COM. REP. NO. 454-26

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2026

RE: H.B. No. 1619

H.D. 2

Honorable Nadine K. Nakamura

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2026

State of Hawaii

Madame:

Your Committee on Water & Land, to which was referred H.B. No. 1619, H.D. 1, entitled:

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

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to:

(1) Exclude from the definition of "development", as it applies to special management areas, the construction, installation, maintenance, repair, and replacement of an electric vehicle charging system as a minor structure; and

(2) Include the Public Utilities Commission in the development and implementation of plans to meet the long-term goals for zero-emissions transportation in the State.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Transportation; Public Utilities Commission; and Hawaiian Electric. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Office of Planning and Sustainable Development.

Your Committee finds that electric-vehicle charging infrastructure plays a vital role in achieving the State's energy-security and clean transportation goals. Your Committee further finds that this measure supports and aligns with these important objectives.

Your Committee has amended this measure by deleting from the exclusion the construction of electric vehicle charging systems, defining "electric vehicle charging system", and deleting a reference to a minor structure.

Your Committee respectfully requests your Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce, should it deliberate on this measure, to review the issue of whether Special Management Area requirements would still apply to the installation, maintenance, repair, and replacement of an electric vehicle charging system.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Water & Land that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1619, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1619, H.D. 2.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Water & Land,

____________________________

MARK J. HASHEM, Chair