HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

1604

THIRTIETH LEGISLATURE, 2020

H.D. 1

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

RELATING TO CONSUMER PROTECTION.

 

 

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

 


     SECTION 1.  Chapter 196, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to part V to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

     "§196-     Household appliances; retailers; rebates.  (a)  All retailers of household appliances doing business in the State shall conspicuously display signage or text on household appliances in a font size no smaller than one-half inch which informs consumers of the following:

     (1)  Available energy efficiency rebates funded by the public benefits fee; and

     (2)  Hawaii-specific energy costs for operation.

     (b)  The Hawaii state energy office, in collaboration with the public benefits fee administrator, shall notify all retailers subject to this section of the requirements of this section."

     SECTION 2.  Section 269-123, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by amending subsection (b) to read as follows:

     "(b)  The public benefits fee administrator's duties and responsibilities shall be established by the public utilities commission by rule or order, and may include:

     (1)  Identifying, developing, administering, promoting, implementing, and evaluating programs, methods, and technologies that support energy-efficiency and demand-side management programs;

     (2)  Encouraging the continuance or improvement of efficiencies made in the production, delivery, and use of energy-efficiency and demand-side management programs and services;

     (3)  Using the energy-efficiency expertise and capabilities that have developed or may develop in the State and consulting with state agency experts;

     (4)  Promoting program initiatives, incentives, and market strategies that address the needs of persons facing the most significant barriers to participation;

     (5)  Promoting coordinated program delivery, including coordination with electric public utilities regarding the delivery of low-income home energy assistance, other demand-side management or energy-efficiency programs, and any utility programs;

     (6)  Consideration of innovative approaches to delivering demand-side management and energy-efficiency services, including strategies to encourage third-party financing and customer contributions to the cost of demand-side management and energy-efficiency services;

     (7)  Submitting, to the public utilities commission for review and approval, a multi-year budget and planning cycle that promotes program improvement, program stability, and maturation of programs and delivery resources; and

     (8)  Educating and training appliance manufacturers, distributors, and retailers of appliances [covered]:

          (A)  Covered under part VI of chapter 196 about the appliance efficiency standards established under that part; and

          (B)  Covered under section 196‑    about the energy efficiency rebates funded by the public benefits fee and Hawaii-specific energy cost information required to be displayed under that section,

          to improve compliance[.] with those laws."

     SECTION 3.  Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 4.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2112.


 


 

Report Title:

Hawaii State Energy Office; Public Benefits Fee Administrator; Household Appliances

 

Description:

Requires retailers of household appliances to conspicuously display available energy efficiency rebates funded by the public benefits fee and state-specific energy operation costs.  Takes effect on 7/1/2112.  (HD1)

 

 

 

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