STAND. COM. REP. NO.  654-20

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2020

 

RE:   H.B. No. 2492

      H.D. 2

 

 

 

 

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirtieth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2020

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce, to which was referred H.B. No. 2492, H.D. 1, entitled:

 

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO HYDROFLUOROCARBONS,"

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

            The purpose of this measure is to:

 

     (1)  Preserve federal regulations on the use of hydrofluorocarbons in state law;

 

     (2)  Establish a preference for products that do not contain hydrofluorocarbons in the state procurement code; and

 

     (3)  Direct the Hawaii State Energy Office and the Environmental Management Division of the Department of Health to study how to increase the use of refrigerants with low global warming potential and recommend how to establish 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, Wastewater Alternatives & Innovations, and six individuals.  Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Health, State Procurement Office, The Natural Resources Defense Council, and Honeywell.

 

     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)  Adopting the Department of Health's recommendation to remove penalties from the new part to be added, to be consistent with other U.S. Climate Alliance states developing model rules;

 

     (2)  Replacing the term, "Secretary," with "director," on page 10, line 12;

 

     (3)  Inserting an appropriation of an unspecified amount for the Hawaii State Energy Office, in conjunction with the Environmental Management Division of the Department of Health, to conduct a study about reducing hydrofluorocarbons in the State; 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 Consumer Protection & Commerce that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2492, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Finance in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 2492, H.D. 2.

 

 

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce,

 

 

 

 

____________________________

ROY M. TAKUMI, Chair