Report Title:

Energy; State Long-term Strategy; Agency Reorganization

 

Description:

Directs the legislative reference bureau to research the responsibilities of state agencies that are integral to achieving state energy objectives; identify any duplication or deficiency in the state agencies responsibilities; research how other states address similar deficiencies in the administration of their energy policies; and make recommendations regarding how the state agencies can be reorganized to advance the long‑term energy strategy.  (SD1)

 


HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

2506

TWENTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE, 2008

H.D. 2

STATE OF HAWAII

S.D. 1

 

 

 

 

 

A BILL FOR AN ACT


 

 

RELATING TO REORGANIZATION OF STATE AGENCIES.

 

 

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

 


     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that under the Hawaii Constitution, the State is responsible for providing its people with a healthful environment, protecting the public health, conserving and protecting the natural beauty and natural resources of the state, including the land, water, air, minerals, and energy resources, balancing the development and conservation of the state's natural resources, and protecting the state's marine resources and water resources.

     In an effort to meet these constitutional responsibilities, the State established a long‑term energy strategy that includes:

     (1)  Providing dependable, efficient, and economical statewide energy systems that are capable of supporting the needs of the people and increasing energy self-sufficiency and energy security;

     (2)  Establishing greenhouse gas and energy consumption reduction goals for state facilities and requiring the use of energy-efficient products in state facilities;

     (3)  Providing incentives for the deployment of energy-efficient devices and renewable energy technologies;

     (4)  Establishing an enforceable renewable energy portfolio standard under which a percentage of Hawaii's electricity is to be generated from renewable resources;

     (5)  Reducing greenhouse gas emissions from energy supply and use;

     (6)  Increasing hydrogen and biofuel research and use in the state; and

     (7)  Supporting the achievement of alternate fuel standards.

     There are many state agencies engaged in various aspects of the exploration, research, distribution, conservation, and production of the various forms of energy resources in Hawaii.  A few state agencies, namely the department of business, economic development, and tourism, public utilities commission, Hawaii natural energy institute, natural energy laboratory of Hawaii authority, and the consumer advocate are integral to successfully achieving state energy objectives.

     The State has realized for some time now that the advancement of a comprehensive long‑term energy strategy depends on effectively coordinating the mandates and efforts of key state agencies.  In 1991, the Hawaii integrated energy policy found that adequate staffing, funding, and relevant statutory authority are more important to effective state energy management than a specific organizational option.  Similarly, a 1995 feasibility study by the legislative reference bureau determined that the creation of an energy commission would be expensive and counterproductive.  The recommendation was to review periodically the energy resource coordinator and the energy division's progress toward completing projects intended to further the state energy objectives.

     The State has made great strides in the last several years to update its long‑term energy strategy and give key state agencies direction regarding the state energy objectives that need to be met.  The legislature finds that it is important now to review the actual administration of and responsibility for the state energy objectives among the key state agencies to avoid redundancy and determine if there are any areas in the administration of the long‑term energy strategy that still need to be addressed.  It may be necessary to reorganize the responsibilities of the key state agencies by amending the relevant statutory authority, for instance, to eliminate redundant responsibilities or fill gaps in the administration of the state energy objectives.  Hopefully, this review will result in a more effective use of state resources by freeing up funding and staff that can be applied to projects that further the long-term energy strategy.

     The purpose of this Act is to direct the legislative reference bureau to:

     (1)  Identify the statutory responsibilities of state agencies that are integral to successfully achieving state energy objectives;

     (2)  Identify any duplication or deficiency in these state agencies' responsibilities relating to state energy objectives;

     (3)  Research how other states address similar deficiencies in the administration of their energy policies; and

     (4)  Make recommendations regarding how the state agencies can be reorganized to advance the long‑term energy strategy.

     SECTION 2.  (a)  The legislative reference bureau shall conduct a study to recommend the most effective and efficient options for reorganizing the state agencies that are integral to successfully achieving state energy objectives and advancing the State's long‑term energy strategy by:

     (1)  Reviewing the State's long‑term energy strategy as codified in chapters 196, 269, and 304A, Hawaii Revised Statutes;

     (2)  Researching the statutory responsibilities of the following state agencies as they relate to achieving the state energy objectives outlined in the long‑term energy strategy:

         (A)  The department of business, economic development, and tourism;

         (B)  The public utilities commission;

         (C)  The Hawaii natural energy institute;

         (D)  The natural energy laboratory of Hawaii authority; and

         (E)  The consumer advocate;

     (3)  Identifying any duplication of responsibilities among these state agencies' responsibilities relating to the state energy objectives;

     (4)  Identifying any deficiencies in the administration of the state energy objectives;

     (5)  Researching how other states have addressed similar deficiencies in the administration of their energy policies; and

     (6)  Making recommendations regarding how the state agencies can be reorganized to achieve state energy objectives and advance the State's long‑term energy strategy.  For purposes of this paragraph, "reorganize" includes amending relevant statutory authority to ensure that state agencies with separate or distinct functions operate in a coherent and cooperative manner toward an end result.

     (b)  State agencies affected by this study shall provide assistance and information as necessary for the legislative reference bureau to achieve the purpose of this Act.

     (c)  The legislative reference bureau shall submit a report of its findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation and necessary funding, to the legislature at least twenty days prior to the convening of the 2009 regular session.

     SECTION 3.  There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $           or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2008-2009 to carry out the purposes of this Act.

     The sum appropriated shall be expended by the legislative reference bureau for the purposes of this Act.

     SECTION 4.  This Act shall take effect upon its approval; provided that section 3 shall take effect on July 1, 2020.