STAND. COM. REP. NO. 740

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.B. No. 682

       S.D. 1

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 S.B. No. 682 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO ENERGY,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to extend the sunset date of the alternative energy research and development pilot program from June 30, 2017, to June 30, 2019, and to appropriate funds for the program to provide grants to qualified businesses conducting research and development in alternative energy.

     Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the High Technology Development Corporation, Navatek, Oceanit, Chamber of Commerce Hawaii, and six individuals.

     Your Committee finds that the alternative energy research and development pilot program supports local companies conducting renewable energy research by providing funds to assist those companies in leveraging federal funds.  In fiscal year 2015-2016, the High Technology Development Corporation awarded $1,000,000 to three companies that secured $11,300,000 of federal funding for alternative energy projects.  Your Committee believes that extending the pilot program will keep high-paying, high-skilled jobs in Hawaii and will bring the State closer to its clean energy goal of one hundred percent renewable energy by the year 2045.

     Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Changing the effective date to July 6, 2041, to facilitate further discussion on the measure; and

(2) 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 S.B. No. 682, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 682, S.D. 1.

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

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JILL N. TOKUDA, Chair