Requires governmental bodies to procure high energy efficient vehicles when purchasing motor vehicle fleets.

A BILL FOR AN ACT

SECTION 1. Chapter 103D, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to part IV to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

"§103D-   High energy efficient vehicles. (a) The procurement policy for all state agencies purchasing or leasing motor vehicle fleets shall be to obtain hybrid or high energy efficient vehicles. Beginning January 1, 2006, when purchasing vehicles, the purchasing agency shall purchase an electric vehicle, hybrid electric vehicle, or fuel cell vehicle to the extent those vehicles are available.

(b) For purposes of this section:

"Electric vehicle" means a vehicle that is powered primarily through the use of an electric battery or battery pack that stores energy produced by an electric motor through regenerative braking to assist in vehicle operation.

"Fuel cell vehicle" means a vehicle that is propelled by power derived from one or more cells converting chemical energy directly into electricity by combining oxygen with hydrogen fuel which is stored on board the vehicle in any form."

"Hybrid electric vehicle" means a vehicle that draws propulsion energy from onboard sources of stored energy generated from an internal combustion or heat engine using combustible fuel and a rechargeable energy storage system."

SECTION 2. New statutory material is underscored.

SECTION 3. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.