STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3546

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                  

 

RE:    H.B. No. 2231

       H.D. 1

       S.D. 1

 

 

 

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Twenty-Eighth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2016

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred H.B. No. 2231, H.D. 1, entitled:

 

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO ENERGY COOPERATIVES,"

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to clarify that a publicly owned energy cooperative may be considered an energy project or a project party under part VI of chapter 39A, Hawaii Revised Statutes, for purposes of receiving financing through special purpose revenue bonds.

 

     Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from Hawaii Island Energy Cooperative, Hawaii Solar Energy Association, and one individual.

 

     Your Committee finds that pursuant to article VII, section 12 of the state constitution and part VI of chapter 39A, Hawaii Revised Statutes, special purpose revenue bonds may be issued to assist utilities that serve the general public by providing electric energy.  Your Committee finds that because publicly owned energy cooperatives can provide electric energy in a manner that is consistent with the public interest and the public health, safety, and general welfare, it is appropriate to clarify that their qualifying projects may be financed through the issuance of special purpose revenue bonds.

 

     Your Committee has amended this measure by changing the effective date to July 1, 2076, to facilitate further discussion on the measure.

 

     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. 2231, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 2231, H.D. 1, S.D. 1.

 

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

 

 

 

________________________________

JILL N. TOKUDA, Chair