STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2903

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 2644

S.D. 2

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2022

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred S.B. No. 2644, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO ELECTRICAL CONTRACTORS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to make permanent:

(1) The limited licensing exemption provided in Act 65, Session Laws of Hawaii 2013, allowing electrical contractors licensed in Hawaii to utilize qualified out-of-state high voltage electrical workers, in certain circumstances, without requiring the qualified electrical workers to obtain a journey worker electrician license; and

(2) The requirement for the Board of Electricians and Plumbers to submit to the Legislature annual reports regarding high voltage electrical contractors.

Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from Hawaiian Electric and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 1260.

Your Committee received written comments in opposition to this measure from the Contractors License Board, Board of Electricians and Plumbers, and International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 1186.

Your Committee finds that this measure will help ensure reliable electric service for Hawaii's residents and visitors by addressing the State's shortage of qualified high voltage electricians.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Extending until June 30, 2033, rather than making permanent, the limited exception to licensing requirements for certain qualified electricians, as suggested in written comments from the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 1260; and

(2) Making technical nonsubstantive changes for purposes of clarity, consistency, and style.

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 S.B. No. 2644, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 2644, S.D. 2.

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

________________________________

DONOVAN M. DELA CRUZ, Chair