STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1534

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    H.B. No. 794

       H.D. 1

       S.D. 2

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Twenty-Ninth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2017

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred H.B. No. 794, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO ENERGY AT THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to assist the University of Hawaii System in implementing projects that generate energy cost savings.

     Specifically, this measure:

(1)  Establishes the University of Hawaii green special fund to collect revenues realized from energy conservation investments and other sources and use those funds for further investments in energy efficiency, renewable energy, and sustainability projects;  

(2)  Requires the University of Hawaii to submit an annual report to the Legislature on the funds deposited into the University of Hawaii green special fund; and

(3)  Appropriates $10,000,000 for energy efficiency, renewable energy, and sustainability projects and services that may be funded by the University of Hawaii green special fund.

     Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the University of Hawaii System, Ulupono Initiative, and one individual.

     Your Committee received written comments on this measure from the Department of Budget and Finance.

     Your Committee finds that at least eighty-five other universities use a similar green fund as part of their sustainability efforts.  Your Committee further finds that a green special fund would support the University of Hawaii's financing of energy conservation efforts along with the repayment of debt on those energy projects.  Your Committee believes that a green special fund will help to ensure that the money saved from energy conservation efforts is reinvested into further energy conservation efforts throughout the University of Hawaii System.

     Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1)  Changing the amount appropriated from $10,000,000 to an unspecified amount;

(2)  Changing the effective date to July 1, 2050, to facilitate further discussion on the measure; and

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

     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 H.B. No. 794, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 794, H.D. 1, S.D. 2.

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

________________________________

JILL N. TOKUDA, Chair