STAND. COM. REP. NO. 820

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.B. No. 1051

       S.D. 1

Honorable Donna Mercado Kim

President of the Senate

Twenty-Eighth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2015

State of Hawaii

Madam:

     Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred S.B. No. 1051, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO FUEL CELL ELECTRIC VEHICLES,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to encourage and facilitate wider use of fuel cell electric vehicles.

More specifically, this measure:

     (1)  Amends the definition of "electric vehicle" to include fuel cell electric vehicles for purposes of parking exemptions, HOV lane use, registration, and designated parking spaces in places of public accommodation;

     (2)  Grants procurement priority for fuel cell electric vehicles for state and county purchases; and

     (3)  Amends the definition of "electric vehicle charging system" in section 291-71, Hawaii Revised Statutes, to exclude a facility or system for refueling the hydrogen storage tank of a fuel cell electric vehicle.

     Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism; Hawaii Energy Policy Forum; and one individual.

     Your Committee finds that extending certain privileges relating to the operation and parking of fuel cell electric vehicles will encourage their use, thereby reducing fossil fuel consumption and emissions associated with vehicles powered by fossil fuels.  Unlike vehicles powered by gasoline or other fossil fuels, fuel cell electric vehicles convert hydrogen and oxygen into electricity to charge an onboard battery and power the vehicle.  Because they produce no dangerous emissions, fuel cell electric vehicles further the State's clean energy goals.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Ways and Means that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 1051, S.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Ways and Means,

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JILL N. TOKUDA, Chair