Report Title:

Hawaii Green Seal; Renewable Energy

Description:

Directs the department of business, economic  development, and tourism to develop the Hawaii green seal program to certify businesses that meet renewable energy standards.  Creates a task force to develop standards for certification.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.B. NO.	2840
TWENTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE, 2008
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

relating to Hawaii Green Seal program.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

     SECTION 1.  The department of business, economic development, and tourism shall develop and implement a Hawaii green seal program to certify businesses and organizations in the State that derive at least twenty per cent of their energy usage from renewable sources, such as solar, wind, wave, geothermal, or biofuel energy sources.

     SECTION 2.  There is established within the department of business, economic development, and tourism for administrative purposes an advisory task force to provide input on the development of the Hawaii green seal program.  The task force shall include:

     (1)  Three members to be appointed by the president of the senate;

     (2)  Three members to be appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives;

     (3)  The director of business, economic development, and tourism or the director's designee;

     (4)  The director of commerce and consumer affairs or the director's designee; and

     (5)  The director of labor and industrial relations or the director's designee.

     The director of business, economic development, and tourism or the director's designee shall serve as the chairperson of the task force.

     (b)  The task force shall have the following duties:

     (1)  Design the Hawaii green seal;

     (2)  Establish qualifying criteria for receiving the Hawaii green seal;

     (3)  Establish guidelines for maintaining the Hawaii green seal certification; and

     (4)  Conduct periodic reviews of Hawaii green seal criteria.

     SECTION 3.  The task force shall submit a report on its findings and recommendations, including any necessary proposed legislation, to the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular session of 2009.

     SECTION 4.  There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $          or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2008-2009 to develop the Hawaii green seal program, including necessary travel expenses for the members of the task force.

     The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of business, economic development, and tourism for the purposes of this Act.

     SECTION 5.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2008.

INTRODUCED BY:

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