STAND. COM. REP. NO. 843

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2023

RE: H.B. No. 419

H.D. 1

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. 419, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO RESIDENTIAL PHOTOVOLTAIC ENERGY GENERATING SYSTEMS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to require the counties to exempt from county permitting requirements the installation of off-grid residential photovoltaic energy generating systems on the rooftops of residential properties, under certain circumstances.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from one member of the Kaua‘i County Council and four individuals.

Your Committee finds that the State has committed to achieving a one hundred percent renewable energy portfolio standard by 2045, which will require a collaborative effort to transition away from imported fossil fuels and toward locally available renewable energy sources. This measure will allow for an increase in the adoption and installation of off-grid residential photovoltaic energy generating systems, supporting the advancement of the State's goals of achieving greater energy security.

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. 419, H.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

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

____________________________

MARK M. NAKASHIMA, Chair