STAND. COM. REP. NO. 838

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.B. No. 1202

       S.D. 2

Honorable Colleen Hanabusa

President of the Senate

Twenty-Fifth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2009

State of Hawaii

Madam:

     Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred S.B. No. 1202, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO TRANSPORTATION ENERGY INITIATIVES,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this measure is to lay the foundation necessary to develop an electric vehicle infrastructure in Hawaii.

     Specifically, this measure:

(1)  Makes fostering the research and development of nonfossil fuel and energy efficient modes of transportation one of the State's economic growth objectives;

(2)  Requires the designation of parking spaces for electric vehicles in public, private, and government parking lots;

(3)  Requires State and county agencies that purchase new vehicles to seek vehicles with reduced dependence on petroleum-based fuels, in accordance with a priority list; and

(4)  Provides income tax credits for installation of code-compliant electric vehicle charging infrastructure and for installation of alternative fuel refueling infrastructure.

     Your Committee received four written comments on this measure.  The written comments may be viewed on the Legislature's website.

     Your Committee finds that it is essential for the State to aggressively promote and develop alternatives to modes of transportation that are dependent on fossil fuels.  Your Committee further finds that the development of an electric vehicle infrastructure is a first and essential step toward transforming transportation in this State.

     Your Committee amended this measure by:

(1)  Deleting provisions related to the income tax credits for electric vehicle charging infrastructure and alternative refueling infrastructure;

(2)  Amending the effective date to July 1, 2070, to encourage further discussion; and

(3)  Making technical amendments for clarity and style.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Ways and Means that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 1202, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 1202, S.D. 2.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Ways and Means,

____________________________

DONNA MERCADO KIM, Chair