STAND. COM. REP. NO. 359

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2021

RE: H.B. No. 684

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. 684 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO TAXATION,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to establish an income tax credit for the conversion of gasoline-powered buses to hydrogen‑powered buses or the purchase of new hydrogen-powered buses.

Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from one individual. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Taxation, Hawaii State Energy Office, and Tax Foundation of Hawaii.

Your Committee finds that it is critical for the State to find ways to reduce its reliance on imported fossil fuels. This measure highlights the importance of hydrogen as a key element in the design and equipping of alternative fuel transportation vehicles in the State.

Your Committee has amended this measure by changing the effective date to July 1, 2050, to encourage further discussion.

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. 684, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 684, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Finance.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Energy & Environmental Protection,

____________________________

NICOLE E. LOWEN, Chair