STAND. COM. REP. NO.  1582-14

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2014

 

RE:   S.B. No. 2657

      S.D. 2

      H.D. 1

 

 

 

 

Honorable Joseph M. Souki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Seventh State Legislature

Regular Session of 2014

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce, to which was referred S.B. No. 2657, S.D. 2, entitled:

 

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO RENEWABLE ENERGY,"

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose of this measure is to require contractors who install solar energy devices on common elements or limited common elements of buildings under the control of homeowners associations and related entities, to disclose that installation of the solar energy device may void the existing roof warranty.

 

     This measure also requires contractors who install solar energy devices to contact the roof manufacturer for installation instructions or to work with the contractor who guaranteed the roof.

 

Testimony in support of the measure was submitted by Hawaii Solar Energy Association, Roofing Contractors Association of Hawaii, and one individual.  One individual submitted testimony in opposition to this measure.

 

     Your Committee finds that before a solar energy device is installed, homeowners with properties under the control of a homeowners association must first obtain confirmation from the roofing contractor that the installation of a solar energy device by another contractor will not void the existing roof warranty.  Since most roofing contractors will not warrant the work of another contractor, this prevents many homeowners from purchasing solar energy devices.  Your Committee finds that this measure will establish procedures and disclaimers for the installation of solar energy devices that will not void roof warranties on common or limited common elements, while addressing the concerns of both roofing and solar energy device contractors.

 

     Your Committee has amended the measure by changing the effective date to December 21, 2112, to facilitate further discussion.

 

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2657, S.D. 2, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 2657, S.D. 2, H.D. 1.

 

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce,

 

 

 

 

____________________________

ANGUS L.K. McKELVEY, Chair