STAND. COM. REP. NO. 255

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.B. No. 868

       S.D. 1

Honorable Colleen Hanabusa

President of the Senate

Twenty-Fifth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2009

State of Hawaii

Madam:

     Your Committee on Energy and Environment, to which was referred S.B. No. 868 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO ENERGY RESOURCES,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this measure is to amend chapter 196, Hawaii Revised Statutes, to:

     (1)  Update certain definitions for clarity and to take into account the changes in the State's energy resources, markets, and systems;

     (2)  Establish definitive policy guidance needed on the nature and relationship of energy data analyses to the State's energy program, and to clearly delineate distinctive analytic roles and responsibilities of state agencies conducting energy data functions; and

     (3)  Provide the statutory basis for a systematic state energy analytic capacity and capability, which is essential to support the Energy Resources Coordinator's role.

     Testimony in support of this measure was submitted by one state department and one private organization.  Written testimony presented to the Committee may be reviewed on the Legislature's website.

     Your Committee finds that, given the increasing need to establish Hawaii's energy independence, it is important to clarify and further define the duties and responsibilities of the state energy office.  Your Committee finds that this measure allows the Energy Resources Coordinator to better carry out its statutory role in governing energy resource planning, as well as preserving and ensuring Hawaii's energy security.

     Your Committee has amended this measure by making technical, nonsubstantive stylistic changes.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Energy and Environment that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 868, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 868, S.D. 1, and be referred to the Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Energy and Environment,

____________________________

MIKE GABBARD, Chair