Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2003

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Consumer Protection and Commerce, to which was referred H.B. No. 604 entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this bill is to include solar generated energy production as a permissible use within the agricultural districts.

Testimony in support of this bill was submitted by the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism (DBEDT) Office of Planning, Land Use Commission, Hawaiian Electric Company, Maui Electric Company, and Hawaii Electric Light Company.

Your Committee notes that encouraging the use of renewable energy may address concerns regarding Hawaii's reliance on fossil fuels. This bill would make it easier for solar energy production to be conducted on agricultural lands by eliminating the need for a special permit for that use. Furthermore, your Committee finds that this bill is consistent with existing statutes which permit wind machines and wind farms on agricultural lands, and that the establishment of solar energy facilities on agricultural lands would not necessarily preclude the return of lands to agricultural uses, should the need arise.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Consumer Protection and Commerce 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 pass Third Reading.