STAND. COM. REP. NO. 819-18

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2018

RE: H.B. No. 1805

H.D. 1

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Ninth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2018

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Finance, to which was referred H.B. No. 1805, H.D. 1, entitled:

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

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to assist county employees who are responsible for permitting, inspecting, licensing, and approving energy systems and related technologies by:

(1) Requiring the University of Hawaii (UH) community colleges to establish and administer or contract for energy systems and technology training courses for relevant county officers and employees on the various standards and requirements for renewable energy systems and related distributed electricity technologies; establish a stakeholder committee to provide input, guidance, and outreach assistance; and submit a progress report to the Legislature prior to the Regular Session of 2019; and

(2) Appropriating funds for energy systems and technology training and authorizing the use of funds to reimburse participants for fees paid.

Ulupono Intitiative, Oahu County Committee on Legislative Priorities of the Democratic Party of Hawaii, Hawaii Chapter of 350.org, and several concerned individuals testified in support of this measure. The Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism and University of Hawaii provided comments.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Finance that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1805, H.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

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

____________________________

SYLVIA LUKE, Chair