STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2677

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    H.B. No. 2197

       H.D. 1

       S.D. 1

Honorable Colleen Hanabusa

President of the Senate

Twenty-Fifth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2010

State of Hawaii

Madam:

     Your Committee on Energy and Environment, to which was referred H.B. No. 2197, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO CONDOMINIUMS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this measure is to provide the board of directors of a condominium unit owners association with the authority to install or allow the installation of solar energy or wind energy devices on the common elements of the condominium.

     Testimony in support of this measure was submitted by four organizations.  Written testimony presented to the Committee may be reviewed on the Legislature's website.

Your Committee finds that this measure capitalizes on an opportunity to further reduce the State's dependence on fossil fuels by facilitating the installation of renewable energy devices in certain areas of condominiums.  Your Committee further finds that this measure provides a benefit not only to the State but also to condominium owners who have the potential to reduce their energy costs and to lease or license common elements for the installation of those renewable energy devices.

     Your Committee has amended this measure by making technical, nonsubstantive changes for the purposes of style, clarity, and consistency.

     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 H.B. No. 2197, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 2197, H.D. 1, 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