STAND. COM. REP. NO. 576

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.B. No. 646

       S.D. 2

Honorable Donna Mercado Kim

President of the Senate

Twenty-Eighth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2015

State of Hawaii

Madam:

     Your Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection, to which was referred S.B. No. 646, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO ENERGY,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to:

     (1)  Permit the installation of clotheslines in any residential dwelling, apartment, condominium, or townhouse, under certain conditions; and

     (2)  Specify the reasonable restrictions that may be adopted by rule on the placement and use of clotheslines in any residential dwelling, apartment, condominium, or townhouse.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from one individual.  Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from the Wailea Community Association.

     Your Committee finds that because of Hawaii's climate, Hawaii homeowners often have the choice to save money and energy by using a clothesline to dry their clothes.  However, many homeowner, condominium, and planned community associations have restrictions on the use of clotheslines.  This measure permits the installation of clotheslines in any residential dwelling, apartment, condominium, or townhouse, while also specifying the reasonable restrictions an association may adopt by rule regarding the placement and use of clotheslines.

     Your Committee has amended this measure by inserting an effective date of July 1, 2050, to encourage further discussion.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 646, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 646, S.D. 2.

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

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ROSALYN H. BAKER, Chair