STAND. COM. REP. NO.  720

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2017

RE:   H.B. No. 957

      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 Education, to which was referred H.B. No. 957, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO HEAT ABATEMENT,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to expedite the cooling of public school classrooms by:

     (1)  Providing that moneys in the Hawaii Green Infrastructure Special Fund may be used for loans to subsidize installation costs for air conditioning, energy-efficient lighting, and other energy-efficiency measures related to heat abatement; and

     (2)  Making related appropriations.

The Department of Education, Hawaii Green Infrastructure Authority, Hawaii State Teachers Association, IMUAlliance, and a concerned individual supported this measure.  The Public Utilities Commission submitted comments.

     During the public hearing, your Committee was informed of amendments proposed by the Hawaii Green Infrastructure Authority and respectfully requests that your Committee on Finance consider those proposed amendments, should it choose to deliberate further on this measure.  Similarly, your Committee has concerns about the long-term financial implications of this measure and requests that your Committee on Finance examine those issues, as well.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Education that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 957, H.D. 1, and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Finance.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Education,

____________________________

ROY M. TAKUMI, Chair