STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2916

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 2032

S.D. 2

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2026

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection, to which was referred S.B. No. 2032, S.D. 1, entitled:

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

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to:

(1) Require any person or entity selling a residential solar energy device to comply with consumer protection laws;

(2) Prohibit the sale of a residential solar energy device without a contractor's license or contractual affiliation with a licensed contractor; and

(3) Require the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs to develop a standardized disclosure form for use in all residential solar proposals and contracts.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Hawaii Green Infrastructure Authority, Kauaʻi Island Utility Cooperative, Hawaiian Electric, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local Union 1186, Sunrun Inc., Hawaii Solar Energy Association, Alternate Energy Inc, Symbium, Green Power Projects LLC, Solaray Corporation, Malama Solar, and seven individuals.

Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Office of Consumer Protection of the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs and Contractors License Board.

Your Committee finds that the sale of solar energy systems in the State often involves complex financing and ownership models, and in some cases misleading or aggressive sales practices, which can make the solar energy market susceptible to violations of consumer protection laws. This measure would strengthen consumer protection measures and promote confidence in the solar energy market, which is critical for the State to achieve its renewable energy goals.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Clarifying that a person or entity that does not hold a contractor's license under chapter 444, Hawaii Revised Statutes, shall not undertake certain activities without being contractually affiliated with a contractor holding a license allowing the contractor to install a residential solar energy device; 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 Commerce and Consumer Protection that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2032, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 2032, S.D. 2.

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

________________________________

JARRETT KEOHOKALOLE, Chair