Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2003

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Agriculture, to which was referred H.B. No. 604 entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this bill is to designate solar-generated energy production as a permitted use in agricultural districts.

The Office of Planning, State of Hawaii Land Use Commission, County of Hawaii Planning Department, Hawaiian Electric Company, Inc., Maui Electric Company, and the Hawaii Electric Light Company supported this bill. The Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism supported the intent of this bill. The Hawaii Agriculture Research Center offered comments.

Your Committee notes that our increasing reliance on fossil fuel energy exacerbates Hawaii's vulnerability to cyclical changes in oil prices and raises environmental concerns regarding the use of these fuels. This measure will promote renewable energy alternatives and help alleviate some of the negative impacts associated with fossil fuels.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Agriculture that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 604 and recommends that it be referred to the Committee on Consumer Protection and Commerce.