STAND. COM. REP. NO.  227

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2025

 

RE:   H.B. No. 1307

      H.D. 1

 

 

 

 

Honorable Nadine K. Nakamura

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

 

Madame:

 

     Your Committee on Energy & Environmental Protection, to which was referred H.B. No. 1307 entitled:

 

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE DEPARTMENT OF HAWAIIAN HOME LANDS,"

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose of this measure is to provide follow-up funding for the next steps in the investigation, exploration, and identification of geothermal resources on Hawaiian home lands.

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands; Hawaiian Electric; Sustainable Energy Hawaiʻi; Ulupono Initiative; and three individuals.  Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from two individuals.

 

     Your Committee finds that geothermal resources can provide a stable alternative to biofuels.  Your Committee further finds that the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands has been provided funding for the investigation, exploration, and identification of geothermal resources on Hawaiian home lands.  However, the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands requires additional funding for water well development at certain sites for further exploration of geothermal resources.  This measure appropriates follow-up funding for this purpose.

 

     Your Committee has amended this measure by:

 

     (1)  Changing the appropriation to an unspecified amount; and

 

     (2)  Changing the effective date to July 1, 3000, to encourage further discussion.

 

     Your Committee respectfully requests your Committee on Finance, should it deliberate on this measure, to consider an appropriation amount of $20,000,000.

 

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Energy & Environmental Protection that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1307, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1307, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs.

 

 

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Energy & Environmental Protection,

 

 

 

 

____________________________

NICOLE E. LOWEN, Chair