STAND. COM. REP. NO. 412-00

                                 Honolulu, Hawaii
                                                   , 2000

                                 RE: H.B. No. 2011
                                     




Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say
Speaker, House of Representatives
Twentieth State Legislature
Regular Session of 2000
State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Energy and Environmental Protection, to
which was referred H.B. No. 2011 entitled:

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

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this bill is to require the incorporation of
the Hawaii Model Energy Code standards for residential buildings
into county building codes.  These standards would be applicable
to all previously unoccupied new residential buildings sold after
July 1, 2001. 

     Your Committee finds that Hawaii's residents and businesses
presently spend approximately $2,700,000,000 yearly on energy
costs.  Your Committee also finds that compliance with the Model
Energy Code standards for residential buildings would
dramatically reduce homeowners' utility costs, help keep Hawaii's
environment clean by decreasing fossil fuel burning, and help
postpone the need to construct new electric generating
facilities.

     Your Committee notes that, although some concerns were
raised that the bill might constitute an unfunded mandate, your
Committee believes that the cost of compliance would be minimal
and could be absorbed easily within the present functions of each
county's building department.


 
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                                 STAND. COM. REP. NO. 412-00
                                 Page 2

 
     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your
Committee on Energy and Environmental Protection that is attached
to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and
purpose of H.B. No. 2011 and recommends that it pass Second
Reading and be referred to the Committee on Consumer Protection
and Commerce.

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



                                   ______________________________
                                   HERMINA M. MORITA, Chair

 
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