STAND. COM. REP. NO. 748

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2023

RE: H.B. No. 949

H.D. 2

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2023

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce, to which was referred H.B. No. 949, H.D. 1, entitled:

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

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to:

(1) Establish and appropriate funds for a Solar Energy Storage System Loan Program to provide asset limited, income constrained, employed households with low-interest loans to purchase and install residential solar energy storage systems; and

(2) Establish and appropriate funds for a Renewable Energy System Installation Loan Program to provide low- and moderate-income families with low-interest loans to purchase and install residential photovoltaic and energy storage systems, including battery storage systems.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, Hawai‘i Green Infrastructure Authority, Hawaiian Electric, Ulupono Initiative, Climate Protectors Hawaii, 350Hawaii.org, Hawaii Solar Energy Association, and five individuals. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Budget and Finance.

Your Committee finds that residential photovoltaic and energy storage systems reduce a resident's reliance on fossil fuel energy production while promoting the State's goal of shifting energy production to renewable energy sources. However, the costs associated with photovoltaic and energy storage systems prevent their adoption by many low- and moderate-income households. This measure promotes access to and adoption of these essential systems by those most in need.

Your Committee has amended this measure by clarifying that asset limited, income constrained, employed households qualify for the Renewable Energy System Installation Loan Program.

Your Committee respectfully requests your Committee on Finance, should it deliberate on this measure, to further examine the appropriateness of using a revolving fund for the Solar Energy Storage System Loan Program and Renewable Energy System Installation Loan Program.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 949, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Finance in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 949, H.D. 2.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce,

____________________________

MARK M. NAKASHIMA, Chair