Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2005

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committees on Energy, Environment, and International Affairs and Transportation and Government Operations, to which was referred S.B. No. 1427 entitled:

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to require all state agencies to purchase electric vehicles, hybrid electric vehicles, or fuel cell vehicles for their use, beginning January 1, 2006, to the extent that these types of vehicles are available.

Testimony in support of the measure was received from the Rocky Mountain Institute and the Sierra Club. The Department of Accounting and General Services offered comments.

Your Committees find that the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions from vehicles is important to the health of Hawaii's citizens and the environment, and that the State can lead by example by purchasing energy-efficient vehicles for its use. Your Committees acknowledge the concern of the Comptroller that energy efficient vehicles of the type enumerated in the measure may not be available at a cost equal to comparable gas powered vehicles. Your Committees find, however, that a provision in the measure requiring purchases only to the extent that high energy-efficient vehicles are available addresses this concern.

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Energy, Environment, and International Affairs and Transportation and Government Operations that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 1427 and recommend that it pass Second Reading and be referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.