STAND. COM. REP. NO. 177-22

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2022

RE: H.B. No. 2090

H.D. 1

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2022

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Energy & Environmental Protection, to which was referred H.B. No. 2090 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO ZERO EMISSION TRANSPORTATION,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to establish a Zero-Emission Vehicle Rebate Program within the Public Utilities Commission to enable low- and moderate-income families greater access to zero-emission vehicles by providing a rebate on the point-of-sale purchase price of zero-emission vehicles.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism; Department of Transportation; Public Utilities Commission; Hawaii State Energy Office; Hawaiian Electric Company; Life of the Land; Climate Protectors Hawai‘i; Ulupono Initiative; Kauai Women's Caucus; 350Hawaii.org; Our Revolution Hawaii; Hawaii Electric Vehicle Association; Alliance for Automotive Innovation; Hawaii Automobile Dealers' Association; KauaiEV; and twelve individuals. Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from one individual. Your Committee received comments on this measure from Hawaii Energy.

Your Committee finds that while the Electric Vehicle Charging System Rebate Program has proven to be successful with the addition of new charging systems that were facilitated by the availability of the rebates, it is still critical to encourage the adoption of transportation with lower emissions, particularly by low- and moderate-income households. Offering financial incentives to purchase or lease electric vehicles and other zero-emission vehicles will further encourage their adoption for use in the State.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Changing the effective date to July 1, 2100, to encourage further discussion; and

(2) 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. 2090, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 2090, 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