STAND. COM. REP. NO.  649

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2017

RE:   H.B. No. 788

      H.D. 1

Honorable Joseph M. Souki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Ninth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2017

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committees on Energy & Environmental Protection and Agriculture, to which was referred H.B. No. 788 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO SOLAR ENERGY FACILITIES,"

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to require special permit approval for solar energy facilities with a capacity totaling more than fifteen kilowatts in certain residential housing areas in agricultural districts.

An individual supported this measure.  Life of the Land supported the intent of this measure.  An individual opposed this measure.  The Department of Agriculture provided comments.

     Your Committees have amended this measure by:

     (1)  Inserting a purpose section;

     (2)  Changing its effective date to July 31, 2150, to encourage further discussion; and

     (3)  Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for clarity, consistency, and style.

     As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Energy & Environmental Protection and Agriculture that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 788, as amended herein, and recommend that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 788, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Finance.

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

____________________________ RICHARD P. CREAGAN, Chair

____________________________ CHRIS LEE, Chair