STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1698

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: H.B. No. 424

H.D. 1

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2021

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred H.B. No. 424, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, entitled:

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

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to reduce the State's carbon footprint.

More specifically, this measure requires all state agencies to adopt a preference for an electric vehicle or hybrid vehicle when renting a motor vehicle for a state employee to conduct official government business.

Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the Hawaii State Energy Office, Office of Economic Development of the County of Kauai, Hawaii Electric Vehicle Association, Big Island EV Association, Sustainable Energy Hawaii, Hawaiian Electric Company, Climate Protectors Hawai‘i, 350Hawaii, Our Revolution Hawaii, and two individuals.

Your Committee received written comments on this measure from Enterprise Holdings.

Your Committee finds that electric vehicles will play an increasingly important role in Hawaii's clean energy future and in meeting the goals set for the State for reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Your Committee further finds that electric vehicles benefit air quality by eliminating exhaust emissions from vehicles powered by internal combustion engines fueled by gasoline or diesel fuel.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Ways and Means that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 424, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Ways and Means,

________________________________

DONOVAN M. DELA CRUZ, Chair