STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1491

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                  

 

RE:    H.B. No. 1509

       H.D. 3

       S.D. 2

 

 

 

Honorable Donna Mercado Kim

President of the Senate

Twenty-Eighth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2015

State of Hawaii

 

Madam:

 

     Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred H.B. No. 1509, H.D. 3, S.D. 1, entitled:

 

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO ENERGY,"

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to assist the University of Hawaii in implementing renewable energy-generating and energy efficiency projects.

 

     Specifically, this measure:

 

(1)  Establishes the net-zero goal for the University of Hawaii to produce as much energy as it consumes, across all campuses, by January 1, 2035;

 

(2)  Establishes the University of Hawaii net-zero special fund for capital improvement projects that advance the net-zero goal;

 

(3)  Requires the University of Hawaii to submit an annual report on the debt service for capital improvement projects funded by the University of Hawaii net-zero special fund, the current value of energy saved, the status of pending projects, recommendations for future projects, and overall progress toward the net-zero goal; and

 

(4)  Appropriates funds for capital improvement and energy efficiency projects in furtherance of the net-zero goal.

 

     Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism; Democratic Party of Hawaii; and two individuals.  Your Committee received written comments in opposition to this measure from two individuals.  Your Committee received written comments from the Department of Budget and Finance and the University of Hawaii System.

 

     Your Committee finds that the University of Hawaii is one of the State's largest consumers of energy.  This measure will help the University to fund investments in energy saving measures, green energy production, and energy efficient buildings.  Your Committee believes that these measures will ultimately result in cost savings that can be shared with students, faculty, and taxpayers.

 

     Your Committee has amended this measure by:

 

(1)  Amending the purpose section to include a declaration that this measure is a law of statewide concern;

 

(2)  Removing language establishing the University of Hawaii net-zero special fund;

 

(3)  Changing where general obligation bond revenues will be deposited, and the source of funding in the appropriations for the University of Hawaii capital improvement projects, from the deleted net-zero special fund to a subaccount of the green infrastructure special fund; and

 

(4)  Changing the deadline for the University of Hawaii to submit the annual report to the Legislature to twenty days before the convening of each Regular Session to conform with the deadlines of other required reports.

 

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Ways and Means that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1509, H.D. 3, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1509, H.D. 3, S.D. 2.

 

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Ways and Means,

 

 

 

________________________________

JILL N. TOKUDA, Chair