THE SENATE	S.C.R. NO.	54
TWENTY-SEVENTH LEGISLATURE, 2014
STATE OF HAWAII

SENATE CONCURRENT

RESOLUTION

requesting the department of business, economic development, and tourism to convene a task force to study photovoltaic panel disposal.

     WHEREAS, over the past few decades, production of energy through the use of photovoltaic technology has increased; and

     WHEREAS, the past ten years have seen the largest growth in demand for photovoltaic modules, with a rate of thirty-five per cent in 2010 and predicted rates of twenty per cent or more through 2015; and

     WHEREAS, photovoltaic panels have a life expectancy of up to thirty years, and panels that were installed in the 1990s will start filling waste bins within the next few years; and

     WHEREAS, addressing the issue of photovoltaic waste has potential environmental, financial, and social impacts for companies and consumers; and

     WHEREAS, to help ensure that the State and people of Hawaii are prepared for the expected increase in photovoltaic waste, a task force can review the current photovoltaic panel disposal practices and provide recommendations for any strategies that might address environmental, financial, and social concerns; now, therefore,

     BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Twenty-seventh Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2014, the House of Representatives concurring, that the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism is requested to establish a task force to study photovoltaic panel disposal and present recommendations to improve photovoltaic panel disposal n the State; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force is requested to include the following members:

     (1)  The Director of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism, or the Director's designee;

     (2)  Representatives from the photovoltaic industry, who shall be appointed by the Governor;

     (3)  A member of the House of Representatives appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives;

     (4)  A member of the Senate appointed by the President of the Senate; and

     (5)  Additional members the chairperson of the task force determines to be necessary; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the members of the task force serve without compensation but be reimbursed for expenses, including travel expenses, incurred in the performance of official duties; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the members of the task force designate a chairperson from among themselves; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force consider strategies for addressing the expected increase in photovoltaic waste in the coming years by considering local, national, and international technologies for disposing photovoltaic waste; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force is requested to report to the Legislature on its findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2015; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force be dissolved on June 30, 2015; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the Governor, Director of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism, Speaker of the House of Representatives, and President of the Senate.

OFFERED BY:

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Report Title: 

Photovoltaic Waste; Task Force