STAND. COM. REP. NO.  753

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2023

 

RE:   H.B. No. 329

      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. 329, H.D. 1, entitled:

 

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO ENERGY,"

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose of this measure is to require solar conduit and electrical panel readiness for new residential construction and electric vehicle readiness when an electrical panel and parking area are installed.

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Hawaii Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Commission, Blue Planet Foundation, Kauai Climate Action Coalition, Climate Protectors Hawaii, Ulupono Initiative, 350Hawaii.org, Big Island Electric Vehicle Association, Hawaii Solar Energy Association, and nineteen individuals.  Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from NAIOP Hawaii and one individual.  Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Building Industry Association of Hawaii.

 

     Your Committee finds that electric vehicles and photovoltaic systems reduce reliance on fossil fuels while promoting the State's goal of reducing the emission of greenhouse gases.  However, home construction is not required to be ready to support these key clean energy technologies.  Your committee further finds that the installation of the infrastructure to support these technologies is more cost-efficient when completed during the construction of a new home, rather than retrofitting after construction has been completed.  This measure promotes the adoption of these clean energy technologies by requiring new residential construction to be photovoltaic and electric vehicle ready.

 

     Your Committee has amended this measure by:

 

     (1)  Limiting the additional requirements placed on new construction by this measure to buildings exclusively occupied by residential units offered for sale at fair market value; and

 

     (2)  Making a technical, nonsubstantive amendment for the purposes of clarity, consistency, and style.

 

     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. 329, 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. 329, H.D. 2.

 

 

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

 

 

 

 

____________________________

MARK M. NAKASHIMA, Chair