|
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES |
H.B. NO. |
2621 |
|
TWENTY-FIFTH LEGISLATURE, 2010 |
|
|
|
STATE OF HAWAII |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
|
|
||
A BILL FOR AN ACT
relating to renewable energy projects.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
SECTION 1. Following the 2009 legislative session, the chairs of the senate committee on economic development and technology and the house committee on economic revitalization, business and military affairs convened a technology caucus work group to bring together industry stakeholders and interested policymakers to develop recommendations for legislation to enhance Hawaii's struggling economy. The work group provided a forum to review the current status of Hawaii's science/technology industry, identify state or county actions that impede long-term growth and expansion of technology companies, and develop recommendations to address these impediments. The work group also identified best practices supporting the growth and development of science/technology industries in other jurisdictions to aid in developing proposed suggestions for future legislation.
The legislature finds that the processing of renewable energy project permits may be delayed if the permitting agency requests additional information before accepting an application for processing. Currently, no deadline for the acceptance of a permit application exists, and requests to supply further information have led to delays of weeks, or months in some cases, of permits for renewable energy projects.
The purpose of this Act is to implement recommendations of the technology caucus work group by establishing a specified time for acceptance of the permit application for renewable energy projects if the application meets the minimum content requirements specified by the agency. Any legitimate needs for additional information can be requested by the agency during the analysis it conducts after an application has been officially accepted for processing.
SECTION 2. Section 46-19.4, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended to read as follows:
"[[]§46-19.4 Priority
permitting process for renewable energy projects.[]] All agencies
shall provide priority handling and processing for all county permits required
for renewable energy projects. A permit application that fulfills the
minimum content requirements established by the agency in the agency's applicable
permit statutes, ordinances, regulations, or rules shall be accepted for
processing within ten working days of the date the permit application was
received by the agency.
For purposes of this section, "agencies" means any executive department, independent commission, board, bureau, office, or other establishment of a county, or any quasi-public institution that is supported in whole or in part by county funds."
SECTION 3. Section 196-1.5, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended to read as follows:
"[[]§196-1.5 Priority
permitting process for renewable energy projects.[]] All agencies
shall provide priority handling and processing for all state permits required
for renewable energy projects. A permit application that fulfills the
minimum content requirements established by the agency in the agency's applicable
permit statutes, ordinances, regulations, or rules shall be accepted for
processing within ten working days of the date the permit application was
received by the agency.
For purposes of this section, "agencies" means any executive department, independent commission, board, bureau, office, or other establishment of the State, or any quasi-public institution that is supported in whole or in part by state funds."
SECTION 4. Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken. New statutory material is underscored.
SECTION 5. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.
|
INTRODUCED BY: |
_____________________________ |
|
|
|
Report Title:
Renewable Energy Projects; Priority Permitting
Description:
Requires a renewable energy project permit application that fulfills the minimum requirements established by a state or county agency in applicable permit statutes, ordinances, regulations, or rules to be accepted for processing within ten working days of the date the permit application was received by the agency.
The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.