STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2312

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 2033

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2026

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committees on Commerce and Consumer Protection and Energy and Intergovernmental Affairs, to which was referred S.B. No. 2033 entitled:

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

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to:

(1) Require the Public Utilities Commission to establish a streamlined grid-ready interconnection process;

(2) Authorize an entity contracted by the Public Utilities Commission as the Hawaii Electricity Reliability Administrator to recover appropriate costs associated with the grid-ready homes interconnection process from the Hawaii electricity reliability surcharge; and

(3) Require the Hawaii Electricity Reliability Administrator to report to the Public Utilities Commission on the status, effectiveness and outcomes of the grid-ready homes interconnection process.

Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from the Hawaii Solar Energy Association, Photonworks Engineering, Sunrun, Inc., Holu Hou Energy, LegaSea Energy, Climate Protectors Hawaiʻi, Alternate Energy Inc., Green Power Projects LLC, Inter‑Island Solar Supply/The Solaray Corporation, Carbon Cashback, and eighteen individuals.

Your Committees received testimony in opposition to this measure from Hawaiian Electric and one individual.

Your Committees received comments on this measure from the Public Utilities Commission, Division of Consumer Advocacy of the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, and Kauaʻi Island Utility Cooperative.

Your Committees find that the State has committed to achieving a one hundred percent renewable portfolio standard by December 31, 2045. Your Committees further find that the widespread adoption of renewable energy technology such as rooftop solar, energy storage, electric vehicle charging, and other electrification technologies requires smoother grid interconnection processes. This measure would establish a grid‑ready home interconnection process to facilitate consumer adoption of the renewable energy technology necessary to achieve the State's renewable energy goals.

Your Committees have amended this measure by:

(1) Inserting language that clarifies the definition of "grid-ready home";

(2) Replacing language in relation to specified cost-sharing figures with language requiring the Public Utilities Commission to develop a cost-sharing mechanism;

(3) Inserting language that requires the Public Utilities Commission to provide guidance on technology safety standards and certifications;

(4) Inserting an effective date of July 1, 2050, to encourage further discussion; and

(5) Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity and consistency.

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Commerce and Consumer Protection and Energy and Intergovernmental Affairs that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2033, as amended herein, and recommend that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 2033, S.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Commerce and Consumer Protection and Energy and Intergovernmental Affairs,

________________________________ GLENN WAKAI, Chair

________________________________ JARRETT KEOHOKALOLE, Chair