STAND. COM. REP. NO. 445-26

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2026

RE: H.B. No. 1644

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. 1644 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO CONSUMER PROTECTION,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to:

(1) Require a person or entity marketing or contracting for a residential solar energy device to provide the consumer a one-page standardized disclosure form;

(2) Require any person or entity marketing, selling, or soliciting a residential solar energy device or financing product to comply with consumer protection laws; and

(3) Prohibit any person or entity from selling a residential solar energy device without holding a contractor's license or having a contractual affiliation with a licensed contractor.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs; Hawaiʻi Green Infrastructure Authority; Kauaʻi Island Utility Cooperative; Hawaii Solar Energy Association; Photonworks Engineering; Green Power Projects LLC; ELCCO Inc.; HI‑POWER Solar LLC; Hawaii Solar Energy Association; Alternate Energy Inc.; Sunspear Energy LLC; Independent Energy; EP Cube; Energy Advisors; and five individuals.

Your Committee finds that deceptive or misleading solar energy device sales practices have created confusion for homeowners, imposed financial hardship, and hindered progress toward the State's clean energy goals. Your Committee further finds that the Hawaii Green Infrastructure Authority has received a number of consumer reports of imposter door-to-door salespeople claiming to represent the Authority. This measure seeks to protect consumers and promote clean energy adoption by requiring standardized disclosures and ensuring that only licensed contractors, or entities affiliated with them, may sell residential solar energy devices.

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. 1644, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1644, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce.

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

____________________________

NICOLE E. LOWEN, Chair