STAND. COM. REP. NO.  222

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2017

RE:   H.B. No. 1249

      H.D. 1

Honorable Joseph M. Souki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Ninth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2017

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Energy & Environmental Protection, to which was referred H.B. No. 1249 entitled:

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

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure, as received by your Committee, is to require the State Building Code Council to adopt net zero energy capability standards and require all new single-family residential construction in the State to be net zero capable by 2019.

The Hawaii Energy Program, Blue Planet Foundation, Life of the Land, and numerous individuals testified in support of this measure.  The Building Industry Association of Hawaii testified in opposition to this measure.  The Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism and Division of Consumer Advocacy of the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs commented on this measure.

     Your Committee has amended this measure by deleting its substance and inserting provisions requiring:

     (1)  The typical monthly operating costs of all new home sales to be disclosed to potential buyers; and

     (2)  The Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism to convene a working group to develop strategies and methods to maximize the energy efficiency of residential dwellings in Hawaii.

     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. 1249, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1249, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Housing.

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

____________________________

CHRIS LEE, Chair