STAND. COM. REP. NO. 142-20

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2020

RE: H.B. No. 2492

H.D. 1

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirtieth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2020

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Energy & Environmental Protection, to which was referred H.B. No. 2492 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO HYDROFLUOROCARBONS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to:

(1) Preserve in state law certain federal regulations on the use of substitutes, including hydrofluorocarbons, for certain substances;

(2) Establish a preference for products that do not contain hydrofluorocarbons in the Procurement Code; and

(3) Direct the Hawaii State Energy Office and the Environmental Management Division of the Department of Health to study increasing the use of refrigerants with low global warming potential and provide recommendations about a state program that supports the elimination of legacy uses of hydrofluorocarbons.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Hawaii State Energy Office, Climate Protectors Coalition, National Resources Defense Council, Pono Hawaii Initiative, Our Revolution Hawaii, 350Hawaii.org, Honeywell, and numerous individuals. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Health; Department of the Attorney General; State Procurement Office; Air Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute; and Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers.

Your Committee finds that hydrofluorocarbons are synthetic gases that pose a significant risk to the environment and therefore should be phased out and replaced with available alternatives that are safer and more cost-effective. Given the State's efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and mitigate the effects of climate change, the phase-out of hydrofluorocarbons aligns with many existing goals and priorities.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Amending the regulations on the use of substitutes, including hydrofluorocarbons, by deleting or amending various definitions and amending the deadlines for compliance for various classes of products and equipment;

(2) Removing the provisions that required a manufacturer to disclose the use of substitutes, including hydrofluorocarbons, in its products or equipment through labeling and other methods;

(3) Changing the effective date to July 1, 2050, to encourage further discussion; and

(4) Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity, consistency, and style.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Energy & Environmental Protection that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2492, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 2492, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Energy & Environmental Protection,

____________________________

NICOLE E. LOWEN, Chair