STAND. COM. REP. NO. 194

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 1291

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirtieth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2019

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Energy, Economic Development, and Tourism, to which was referred S.B. No. 1291 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE ALTERNATIVE ENERGY RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT FUND,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to appropriate funds into and out of the alternative energy research and development revolving fund for the Hawaii Technology Development Corporation to provide grants.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Hawaii Technology Development Corporation, Oceanit, Makai Ocean Engineering, and one individual.

Your Committee finds that Hawaii's alternative energy and research development program, a two-year program established pursuant to Act 67, Session Laws of Hawaii 2018, is an integral part in making the entire State energy sustainable. Hawaii is fortunate that it has diverse resources, such as solar, wind, hydro, bioenergy, and geothermal, that are ideal for the development of clean energy. This measure appropriates funds that will allow for the continuation of this program, which will keep high-paying, high-skilled jobs in Hawaii and enable Hawaii's technology industry to compete and win more federal monies for technology development.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Energy, Economic Development, and Tourism that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 1291 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Energy, Economic Development, and Tourism,

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GLENN WAKAI, Chair