STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3501

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.C.R. No. 86

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2026

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Government Operations, to which was referred S.C.R. No. 86 entitled:

"SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION REQUESTING ALL STATE AGENCIES TO UTILIZE BI-LEVEL LIGHTING SYSTEMS IN ALL NEWLY CONSTRUCTED STATE BUILDINGS AND FACILITIES BEGINNING JANUARY 1, 2027,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to request that all state agencies utilize bi-level lighting systems in all newly constructed state buildings and facilities beginning January 1, 2027.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Land and Natural Resources, Hawaii State Energy Office, Iolani School Chapter of Citizens' Climate Lobby, and Climate Future Forum.

Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Accounting and General Services.

Your Committee finds that lighting systems installed in many buildings across the State remain active at full intensity throughout the day resulting in wasted energy, unnecessary costs, and preventable environmental harm. Motion-sensor lighting systems, or bi-level lighting, operate by adjusting lighting intensity as needed, and are a proven, environmentally friendly alternative to traditional lighting systems; however, their adoption in the State remains limited. This measure will increase the use of bi-level lighting systems in the State, promote sensible environmental stewardship practices, and eliminate wasteful government spending and energy usage.

Your Committee acknowledges the concerns raised in testimony by the Department of Accounting and General Services that buildings and facilities currently slated to be constructed on or after January 1, 2027, may not have been designed to utilize bi-level lighting, may not be adequately funded to accommodate re-design for bi-level lighting, and may be delayed while re-design is undertaken. Your Committee further notes the Department's concern that the opportunity for state agencies to request any required funding will not occur until the 2027 legislative session and, if appropriated, such funding would not become available until the first quarter of fiscal year 2028. Therefore, amendments to this measure are necessary to address these concerns.

Accordingly, your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Clarifying that all state agencies are requested to utilize bi-level lighting systems in all state buildings and facilities, the design of which is finalized on or after January 1, 2028, rather than in all state buildings and facilities beginning January 1, 2027;

(2) Amending its title accordingly; and

(3) Making a technical, nonsubstantive amendment for the purposes of clarity and consistency.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Government Operations that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of S.C.R. No. 86, as amended herein, and recommends its adoption in the form attached hereto as S.C.R. No. 86, S.D. 1.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Government Operations,

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ANGUS L.K. MCKELVEY, Chair