HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

346

THIRTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2023

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

relating to electric vehicle charging infrastructure.

 

 

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

 


     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that the adoption of electric vehicles in the State has grown in recent years and is expected to continue to grow at increasing rates.  There is a need for a network of charging infrastructure to support this growth and ensure that there is an equitable transition to clean transportation.

     The legislature also finds that the clean energy transition will be facilitated by shifting energy demand from peak times to times during the day when renewable energy is abundant.  Because of this need, the public utilities commission recently announced plans to implement a time-of-use pilot program to encourage people to shift energy use away from peak hours, under which rates will be higher between the hours of 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. and lower at other times of day.  In order to facilitate this shift, electric vehicle drivers will need access to workplace charging.  In addition, workplace charging will offer a convenient option for charging, which may open up the possibility to purchase an electric vehicle for people who may not have access to charging at home, including many low- and moderate-income families.  For these reasons, the legislature further finds that there is a need for more workplace charging and that the State should lead by example by expanding workplace charging availability in state facilities.

     The purpose of this Act is to:

     (1)  Require that the design of new state facilities be electric vehicle charger-ready; and

     (2)  Evaluate the cost for retrofitting existing state parking facilities to make them electric vehicle charger-ready and identify and fund at least two state facilities where retrofits can be undertaken to accommodate workplace charging.

     SECTION 2.  Section 107-27, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by amending subsection (d) to read as follows:

     "(d)  Beginning July 1, 2023, where feasible and cost-effective, the design of all new state building construction shall:

     (1)  Maximize energy and water efficiency measures;

     (2)  Maximize energy generation potential; [and]

     (3)  Use building materials that reduce the carbon footprint of the project[.]; and

     (4)  Include parking areas that are electric vehicle charger-ready; provided that "electric vehicle charger-ready" means having sufficient wire, conduit, raceway, termination point to support a minimum of 40-ampere, 208 or 240-volt branch circuits, and electrical panel capacity suitable to provide Level 2 charging consistent with an "alternating current Level 2 charging station" as that term is defined in section 269-72."

     SECTION 3.  The Hawaii state energy office, in consultation with the department of accounting and general services and department of transportation, shall evaluate existing state facilities statewide that include parking and perform the following:

     (1)  Determine the cost for needed charger-ready work to accommodate electric vehicle charging;

     (2)  Determine the expected demand for electric vehicle charging at these facilities;

     (3)  Determine which existing facilities should be prioritized for improvements based on these assessments; and

     (4)  Select at least two existing state facilities to retrofit to be electric vehicle charger-ready; provided that "electric vehicle charger-ready" means having sufficient wire, conduit, raceway, termination point to support a minimum of 40-ampere, 208 or 240-volt branch circuits, and electrical panel capacity suitable to provide Level 2 charging consistent with an "alternating current Level 2 charging station" as that term is defined in section 269-72, Hawaii Revised Statutes.

     The department of accounting and general services shall install or contract for the installation of retrofits and electric vehicle charging systems at the state facilities determined to be retrofit to be electric vehicle charger-ready.

     SECTION 4.  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 2023-2024 and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2024-2025 to install or contract for installation of retrofits and electric vehicle charging systems at the selected state facilities pursuant to section 3 of this Act.

     The sums appropriated shall be expended by the department of accounting and general services for the purposes of this Act.

     SECTION 5.  Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 6.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2023.

 

INTRODUCED BY:

_____________________________

 

 


 


 

Report Title:

Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure; State Buildings; Retrofitting; Hawaii State Energy Office; Appropriation

 

Description:

Requires that the design of new state facilities be electric vehicle charger-ready.  Requires the Hawaii state energy office, in consultation with the department of accounting and general services and department of transportation, to evaluate the cost for retrofitting existing state facilities to make them electric vehicle charger-ready.  Requires the department of accounting and general services to install or contract for the installation of retrofits and electric vehicle charging systems at selected state facilities.  Appropriates funds.

 

 

 

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