STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2021

RE: H.B. No. 556

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 Energy & Environmental Protection, to which was referred H.B. No. 556 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO ENERGY EFFICIENCY,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to:

(1) Require that the State Building Code Council include voting members with experience and knowledge in building energy efficiency standards and sustainable building, design, construction, and operation; and

(2) Direct the counties to amend or adopt their respective building codes and standards based upon the International Energy Conservation Code no later than one year after the adoption of the Hawaii State Building Energy Conservation Code.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Blue Planet Foundation, Ulupono Initiative, Climate Protectors Coalition, and one individual. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Hawaii State Energy Office.

Your Committee finds that building energy codes set minimum requirements for energy-efficient design and construction for new and renovated buildings that impact energy use and reduce greenhouse gas emissions for the life of the building. However, the State has historically lagged behind other jurisdictions with respect to updating its state building energy conservation codes, with the counties lagging even further. By establishing and regularly updating uniform building energy conservation codes, the State can ensure that building design, construction, and operation address important societal concerns, including public health and safety, environmental protection, and consumer protection against costly monthly utility bills.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Changing the effective date to July 1, 2050, to encourage further discussion; and

(2) Making a technical, nonsubstantive amendment 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. 556, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 556, 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