Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2006

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Transportation, to which was referred H.R. No. 112 entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this resolution, as received by your Committee, is to request the Disability and Communication Access Board to conduct an assessment concerning the best manner in which to make personal mobility devices more noticeable to drivers.

Prior to the hearing, your Committee circulated a proposed draft for consideration and received testimony on the proposed draft.

As amended, the purpose of this resolution is to work toward decreasing Hawaii's dependence on fossil fuels by encouraging the Department of Transportation (DOT), with the cooperation of the Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR), to assist in state and national policies to reduce reliance upon fossil fuels and to promote the development of an ethanol industry in the state.

The Oahu Ethanol Corporation testified in support of the amended resolution. DOT and DLNR supported the intent of this measure.

Your Committee finds that Hawaii is highly dependent upon fossil fuels and imported petroleum products. With rising fuel costs, as well as an increased emphasis on environmental protection, the production of ethanol has been thrust into the limelight as playing an important role in Hawaii's efforts to use renewable energy and drastically reduce its dependence on foreign oil. However, your Committee notes that plans for the deep draft harbor at Kalaeloa, formerly known as Barber's Point, were developed years ago and did not include plans for renewable energy facilities. In order for ethanol production to be effective on Oahu, it will be necessary to use the deep draft harbor to transport ethanol feedstock, by-products, and finished product. This measure encourages DOT and DLNR to work with the ethanol industry to develop plans to use the harbor facilities for such a purpose.

Accordingly, Your Committee has amended this measure by deleting its contents and inserting the language contained in the proposed HD1. As amended, the resolution encourages DOT, with the cooperation of DLNR, to assist in state and national policies to reduce reliance upon fossil fuels and to promote the development of an ethanol industry in the state.

The proposed HD1 was further amended by making technical, nonsubstantive changes for clarity and style.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Transportation that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of H.R. No. 112, as amended herein, and recommends its adoption in the form attached hereto as H.R. No. 112, H.D. 1.