HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

2650

TWENTY-EIGHTH LEGISLATURE, 2016

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

relating to energy.

 

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

 


     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that in master-metered condominiums, electric power consumption for the entire building is divided among the units.  Since the electricity costs of each unit change very little in proportion to a unit's increased or decreased consumption, residents in master-metered condominiums have little incentive to conserve electricity and therefore tend to consume more electricity than residents who do not reside in master-metered condominiums.

     The legislature further finds that changing condominiums from master-metered to sub-metered, where each apartment unit is charged for that unit's electricity consumption, reduces total building electricity consumption by ten to twenty-six per cent.

     The purpose of this Act is to establish a working group to address the installation of electrical sub-meters in condominiums.

     SECTION 2.  (a)  There is established the condominium sub-meter working group within the department of business, economic development, and tourism for administrative purposes.

     (b)  The working group shall examine the financial, technical, administrative, and other issues regarding the installation of electrical sub-meters in new and existing condominium projects.

     (c)  The following individuals or their designees shall serve as members of the working group:

     (1)  The director of business, economic development, and tourism, who shall serve as the chairperson of the working group;

     (2)  The director of commerce and consumer affairs;

     (3)  The chairperson of the public utilities commission;

     (4)  The chairperson of the senate standing committee with jurisdiction over energy matters;

     (5)  The chairperson of the house of representatives standing committee with jurisdiction over energy matters;

     (6)  The chairperson of the senate standing committee with jurisdiction over consumer protection matters; and

     (7)  The chairperson of the house of representatives standing committee with jurisdiction over consumer protection matters.

     (d)  The director of business, economic development, and tourism, shall invite representatives from the following to serve as members of the working group:

     (1)  The community associations institute;

     (2)  Hawaiian Electric Industries;

     (3)  A utility cooperative;

     (4)  The solar industry; and

     (5)  The storage and distributed energy resources industry.

     (e)  Members of working group shall receive no compensation for their service on the working group but shall be reimbursed from reasonable expenses incurred, including travel expenses, related to their service on the working group.

     (f)  The working group shall report its findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, to the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular session of 2017.

     (g)  The legislative reference bureau shall assist the working group with editing its report and proposed legislation, if any; provided that the draft report and proposed legislation are provided to the bureau by November 1, 2016.

     (h)  The working group shall be dissolved on December 30, 2016.

     SECTION 3.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2016.

 

INTRODUCED BY:

_____________________________

 

 


 


 

Report Title:

Condominiums; Electricity; Master-meter; Sub-meter; Working Group

 

Description:

Establishes the condominium sub-meter working group within DBEDT to examine installing sub-meters in condominiums.

 

 

 

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.