STAND. COM. REP. NO. 712-24

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2024

RE: H.B. No. 2523

H.D. 1

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2024

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Finance, to which was referred H.B. No. 2523, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO ELECTRIC UTILITY LINEMAN,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to:

(1) Beginning January 1, 2027, establish licensing requirements, including minimum standards and qualifications, for licensure as a journey worker electric utility lineman and expand the Board of Electricians and Plumbers to include members engaged in electric utility work; and

(2) Repeal an existing exception to the impending sunset of the limited exemption from electrician licensing requirements.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs; International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local Union 1260; Plumbers and Fitters United Association Local 675; and Hawaiian Electric. Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local Union 1186. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Hawaiʻi State Energy Office; Public Utilities Commission; Board of Electricians and Plumbers; and Kauaʻi Island Utility Cooperative.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Finance that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2523, H.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Finance,

____________________________

KYLE T. YAMASHITA, Chair