STAND. COM. REP. NO.  1506-14

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2014

RE:   S.B. No. 2775

      S.D. 1

      H.D. 1

Honorable Joseph M. Souki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Seventh State Legislature

Regular Session of 2014

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committees on Energy & Environmental Protection and Water & Land, to which was referred S.B. No. 2775, S.D. 1, H.D. 1, entitled:

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

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to protect agricultural lands with a productivity rating of class A and permit solar energy facilities on those lands only if:

     (1)  The solar energy facility is located on a paved or unpaved road that has been in existence as of December 31, 2013, and the parcel has a valid county agriculture tax dedication status or a valid agricultural conservation easement;

     (2)  Vehicular traffic can still use the road; and

     (3)  A special use permit is granted by the Land Use Commission.   

     This measure also repeals the permissible use of these lands on June 30, 2019, but provides for the continued operation of an existing facility after June 30, 2019, and establishes conditions for the facility's removal at the end of its operable life.

The Department of Agriculture; Department of Planning and Permitting of the City and County of Honolulu; Hawaii Cattlemen's Council; Hawaii Agriculture Research Center; Hawaii Farm Bureau; and a concerned individual supported this measure.  The Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism; Office of Planning; and the Land Use Commission commented on this measure.  

     As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Energy & Environmental Protection and Water & Land that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2775, S.D. 1, H.D. 1, and recommend that it pass Third Reading.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Energy & Environmental Protection and Water & Land,

____________________________ CINDY EVANS, Chair

____________________________ CHRIS LEE, Chair