STAND. COM. REP. NO. 640

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2021

RE: H.B. No. 424

H.D. 1

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2021

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce, to which was referred H.B. No. 424, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO PROCUREMENT OF CONTRACTS FOR VEHICLE RENTAL,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to require all agencies of the State, when renting a vehicle on behalf of a state employee conducting official government business, to adopt a preference for renting electric vehicles or hybrid vehicles.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Hawaii State Energy Office, one member of the County Council of the County of Maui, Our Revolution Hawaii, 350Hawaii.org, Climate Protectors Hawaii, Environmental Caucus of the Democratic Party of Hawai‘i, Hawaiian Electric Company, Hawaii Electric Vehicle Association, Pele Lani Farm LLC, Enterprise Holdings, and numerous individuals. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the State Procurement Office.

Your Committee finds that electric and hybrid vehicles will play a pivotal role in Hawaii's clean energy future and in meeting the goals set for the State of reducing its greenhouse gas emissions. Your Committee further finds that adopting a policy preference for rental of electric or hybrid vehicles by state agencies, when renting a vehicle on behalf of an employee on official government business, leads by example and promotes the conversion from gas-powered vehicles to vehicles with lower carbon emissions.

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. 424, H.D. 1, and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Finance.

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

____________________________

AARON LING JOHANSON, Chair