STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1537-26

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2026

RE: S.B. No. 3326

S.D. 2

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 Consumer Protection & Commerce, to which was referred S.B. No. 3326, S.D. 2, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO ENERGY,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to require the Public Utilities Commission to open a docketed proceeding to conduct a comprehensive, objective, and independent analysis of the State's energy pathways to identify the best potential paths for the State to maximize cost reduction and minimize financial risk to residents for energy services while meeting established state energy goals.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Pacific Resource Partnership; Hawaii Regional Council of Carpenters; and Maui Ocean Center. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs; Department of the Attorney General; Public Utilities Commission; Hawaiian Electric; and Land Use Research Foundation of Hawaii.

Your Committee finds that Hawaii's high cost of living is driven in significant part by energy prices and the State's continued reliance on imported fuels, which exposes residents and businesses to price volatility caused by external forces beyond the State's control. Your Committee further finds that locally produced renewable energy and energy storage technologies have demonstrated declining costs, improved performance, and greater price stability, while reducing exposure to volatile fuel markets. Accordingly, this measure requires a comprehensive and independent evaluation of available energy pathways to support long‑term affordability, reliability, and energy security.

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 Consumer Protection & Commerce that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 3326, S.D. 2, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Finance in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 3326, S.D. 2, H.D. 2.

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

____________________________

SCOT Z. MATAYOSHI, Chair