STAND. COM. REP. NO. 636-20

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2020

RE: H.B. No. 2717

H.D. 1

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirtieth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2020

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committees on Economic Development & Business and Energy & Environmental Protection, to which was referred H.B. No. 2717 entitled:

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

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to:

(1) Extend the Alternative Energy Research and Development Revolving Fund lapse date from June 30, 2020, to June 30, 2021; and

(2) Appropriate funds into and out of the Alternative Energy Research and Development Revolving Fund for the provision of grants by the Hawaii Technology Development Corporation.

Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from Makai Ocean Engineering, Inc.; Chamber of Commerce Hawaii; and three individuals. Your Committees received comments on this measure from the Hawaii Technology Development Corporation.

Your Committees find that research focused on creating new forms of alternative energy is in line with the State's clean energy goal of one hundred percent renewable energy by the end of 2045. Your Committees further find that extending the Alternative Energy Research and Development Revolving Fund will continue to help companies obtain needed funding for their alternative energy research and development, which helps to create high paying jobs and meet Hawaii's clean energy goals.

Your Committees have amended this measure by:

(1) Appropriating general revenues, rather than monies from the Alternative Energy Research and Development Revolving Fund, for the provision of grants by the Hawaii Technology Development Corporation;

(2) Changing the amount appropriated to an unspecified sum;

(3) Changing its effective date to July 1, 2112; and

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

Should your Committee on Finance decide to hear this measure, your Committees respectfully request that it consider appropriating $1,000,000 for the purpose of providing grants by the Hawaii Technology Development Corporation for the Alternative Energy Research and Development Program.

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Economic Development & Business and Energy & Environmental Protection that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2717, as amended herein, and recommend that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 2717, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Finance.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Economic Development & Business and Energy & Environmental Protection,

____________________________ NICOLE E. LOWEN, Chair

____________________________ ANGUS L.K. McKELVEY, Chair