STAND. COM. REP. NO.  269-14

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2014

RE:   H.B. No. 2256

Honorable Joseph M. Souki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Seventh State Legislature

Regular Session of 2014

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Energy & Environmental Protection, to which was referred H.B. No. 2256 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE ENVIRONMENTAL RESPONSE, ENERGY, AND FOOD SECURITY TAX REPEAL DATE,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to provide the long-term availability of financial resources to enable the State to achieve its 2030 clean energy and food security goals.

     Among other things, this measure extends the Environmental Response, Energy, and Food Security Tax repeal date from June 30, 2015, to June 30, 2030, to provide financial support to the Departments of Health, Agriculture, and Business, Economic Development, and Tourism so that they can meet the 2030 clean energy and food security goals established pursuant to Act 155, Session Laws of Hawaii 2009, and Act 73, Session Laws of Hawaii 2010.  

The Department of Agriculture; Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism; State Sustainability Coordinator; The Nature Conservancy; Ulupono Initiative; Renewable Energy Action Coalition of Hawaii; Blue Planet Foundation; and an individual testified in support of this measure.  The Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii testified in opposition to this measure.  Tax Foundation of Hawaii and Sierra Club of Hawaii commented on this measure.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Energy & Environmental Protection that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2256 and recommends that it be referred to the Committee on Finance.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Energy & Environmental Protection,

____________________________

CHRIS LEE, Chair