STAND. COM. REP. NO. 551

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 1241

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirtieth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2019

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committees on Energy, Economic Development, and Tourism and Commerce, Consumer Protection, and Health, to which was referred S.B. No. 1241 entitled:

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

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to allow the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism to share energy data with the Department of Health in order to increase the accuracy of and reduce the levels of uncertainty in the Department of Health's annual greenhouse gas progress reports.

Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs; Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism; Department of Health; O‘ahu County Committee on Legislative Priorities of the Democratic Party of Hawai‘i; and one individual.

Your Committees find that climate change poses an environmental, economic, and public health threat and Hawaii is particularly vulnerable to increases in sea levels, storm intensity, flooding, and beach erosion. To address Hawaii's contribution to climate change, a 2020 greenhouse gas emissions limit was established in 2007, mandating the State to reduce its statewide emissions to levels at or below 1990 levels by January 1, 2020.

Under existing state law, the Department of Health is responsible for preparing the annual greenhouse gas progress reports, which provide statewide greenhouse gas emission inventory estimates and updates and assess progress being made toward achieving the 2020 greenhouse gas emissions limit, estimate uncertainties, and support the determination of whether or not the 2020 limit has been met and will be sustained. However, access to energy data obtained pursuant to chapter 486J, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is restricted to certain departments, which do not include the Department of Health. This measure will allow the Department of Health access to energy data to aid in the completion of its annual greenhouse gas progress reports, thereby resulting in more accurate annual reports that allow the State to better regulate greenhouse gas emissions.

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Energy, Economic Development, and Tourism and Commerce, Consumer Protection, and Health that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 1241 and recommend that it pass Second Reading and be referred to your Committee on Judiciary.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Energy, Economic Development, and Tourism and Commerce, Consumer Protection, and Health,

________________________________ ROSALYN H. BAKER, Chair

________________________________ GLENN WAKAI, Chair