STAND. COM. REP. NO. 94

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 1353

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2021

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Energy, Economic Development, and Tourism, to which was referred S.B. No. 1353 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE HAWAII STATE ENERGY OFFICE,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to enhance the core responsibilities of the Hawaii State Energy office by:

(1) Expanding the duties of the Hawaii State Energy Office to include identifying and pursuing opportunities for economic development; and

(2) Transferring certain duties relating to energy efficiency, renewable energy, energy resilience, and clean transportation related incentives, programs, and goals from the Chief Energy Officer to the Hawaii State Energy Office.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Hawaii Clean Power Alliance and SanHI Government Strategies. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Hawaii State Energy Office.

Your Committee finds that this measure expands the duties of the Hawaii State Energy Office to include developing opportunities for economic opportunities through both the public and private sectors. Your Committee further finds that this measure transfers certain duties relating to energy efficiency, renewable energy, energy resilience, and clean transportation related incentives, programs, and goals from the Chief Energy Officer to the Hawaii State Energy Office. The transfer of duties will more clearly define the Chief Energy Officer's role in the State's ambitious goal to achieve one hundred percent renewable energy by 2045.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Energy, Economic Development, and Tourism that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 1353 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Energy, Economic Development, and Tourism,

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GLENN WAKAI, Chair