HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.C.R. NO.	196
TWENTY-SIXTH LEGISLATURE, 2012
STATE OF HAWAII

HOUSE CONCURRENT

RESOLUTION

requesting the department of taxation, with the cooperation of the department of business, economic development, and tourism, to conduct a study on the feasibility of offering a solar water heating system tax credit.

     WHEREAS, the Legislature has made a commitment toward achieving greater energy sustainability and reducing the State's reliance on fossil fuels; and

     WHEREAS, it is a priority of the State, expressed through the Hawaii Clean Energy Initiative, to develop a clean energy economy for Hawaii, with a goal of achieving 70 percent clean energy consumption by 2030; and

     WHEREAS, in addition to building investment in Hawaii's economy, developing a clean energy economy will help to keep the billions of dollars spent annually on imported oil within the State; and

     WHEREAS, one method of reducing dependence on fossil fuels is to make use of Hawaii's natural resources, such as solar energy; and

     WHEREAS, electric utility companies have provided cash rebates for consumers who install residential solar water heating systems, and in the past, state and federal tax credits have also been offered for the installation of solar hot water systems; and

     WHEREAS, the Legislature continues to examine various proposals to offer financial incentives to consumers that utilize renewable energy resources such as solar energy; now, therefore,
     BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Twenty-sixth Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2012, the Senate concurring, that the Department of Taxation, with the cooperation of the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism, is requested to examine the proposal set forth in House Bill No. 2055, Regular Session of 2012, as introduced, which offers an income tax credit for the maintenance of a solar energy system; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Department of Taxation and Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism are requested to conduct a cost-benefit analysis and determine the feasibility of offering a tax credit such as the one proposed in House Bill No. 2055; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Department of Taxation, in consultation with the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism, is requested to submit a report of its findings and recommendations, including proposed legislation, to the Legislature no later than 20 days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2013; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the Director of Taxation and Director of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism.

OFFERED BY:

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Report Title: 

DOTAX; DBEDT; Solar Water Heating System Tax Credit; Study