STAND. COM. REP. NO.  70-16

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2016

RE:   H.B. No. 2231

Honorable Joseph M. Souki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Eighth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2016

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Energy & Environmental Protection, to which was referred H.B. No. 2231 entitled:

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

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to expand the financing mechanisms available to Hawaii's energy sector by clarifying that special purpose revenue bonds can be used to finance publicly owned energy cooperatives.

The Blue Planet Foundation, Hawaii Solar Energy Foundation, Sierra Club of Oahu, The Alliance for Solar Choice, and two concerned individuals supported 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. 2231 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to your Committee on Finance.

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

____________________________

CHRIS LEE, Chair