HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

2248

TWENTY-NINTH LEGISLATURE, 2018

 

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.  The legislature finds that the high cost of living in Hawaii adds to the importance of adopting policies that promote and encourage energy efficiency, which can provide relief for families faced with high utility bills.  Without state appliance efficiency standards to provide consumer protection, Hawaii residents risk losing as much as $1,000,000,000 in unnecessary energy waste as manufacturers unload less efficient appliances that they cannot sell in other states with heightened standards.  Multiple states, including California, Connecticut, New Hampshire, Oregon, Rhode Island, and Washington, have adopted state appliance efficiency standards.

     The legislature also finds that new appliance efficiency standards have the potential to save Hawaii families and businesses billions of dollars while conserving energy and water resources.  According to a 2017 national study from the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy, Hawaii has the best opportunity in the nation to save money through the implementation of appliance efficiency standards.  The study found that by adopting appliance efficiency standards, Hawaii could save nearly $1,000,000,000 in electricity costs over twenty years, which is the equivalent of about $215 annually for each Hawaii household.  Although many appliances, such as refrigerators, dishwashers, and commercial air conditioners, are regulated by national appliance efficiency standards, the study found that states can save billions of dollars by adopting state-level appliance efficiency standards for appliances that are not regulated by national standards.

     The legislature further finds that by adopting state appliance efficiency standards, the State, among other positive results, can:

     (1)  Provide a boost to the local economy, which occurs when consumers and businesses spend their economic savings on other goods and services;

     (2)  Protect consumers against manufacturers who would otherwise unload less efficient appliances that they cannot sell in other states with heightened standards;

     (3)  Ensure that Hawaii residents do not miss out on potential savings while progress on standards at the national level is uncertain;

     (4)  Improve electric system reliability and potentially reduce the need for new energy and water infrastructures based on the resulting energy and water savings;

     (5)  Lower electricity bills for residents and businesses; and

     (6)  Reduce air pollutants and greenhouse gas emissions, which can result in public health benefits and help the State meet its clean energy and climate mitigation targets.

     The legislature recognizes the State of California as a leader in establishing state-level appliance efficiency standards that protect consumers and finds that the California appliance efficiency standards should be used as a model for Hawaii's standards.

     The purpose of this Act is to require the department of commerce and consumer affairs to adopt state appliance efficiency standards that are modeled after the standards established in California.

     SECTION 2.  The Hawaii Revised Statutes is amended by adding a new chapter to title 26 to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

"Chapter

Appliance Efficiency standards

     §   -1  Purpose.  The purpose of this chapter is to require the department to adopt appliance efficiency standards for Hawaii that are modeled after the standards in title 20 California Code of Regulations, as in effect on July 1, 2018.

     §   -2  Definitions.  As used in this chapter:

     "Department" means the department of commerce and consumer affairs.

     §   -3  Rules.  The department shall adopt rules pursuant to chapter 91 to implement this chapter by January 1, 2020.

     §   -4  Appliance efficiency standards.  (a)  The department shall adopt the appliance energy efficiency standards in title 20 California Code of Regulations, as in effect on July 1, 2018, for:

     (1)  Faucets;

     (2)  Showerheads;

     (3)  Computers and monitors;

     (4)  High color rendering index fluorescent lamps;

     (5)  Air purifiers;

     (6)  Commercial fryers; and

     (7)  Other appliances and devices as the department deems appropriate;

provided that the department shall not adopt any standard that is preempted by federal law.

     (b)  This chapter shall apply to the sale and offering for sale in the State of appliances and devices identified in subsection (a).

     (c)  If any standard adopted by the department pursuant to this chapter is subsequently preempted by federal law, all other state appliance efficiency standards not preempted shall remain in effect.

     §   -5  Test methods.  Any appliance or device identified in section    -4(a) shall be tested in accordance with the methods specified in title 20 California Code of Regulations Section 1604, as in effect on July 1, 2018, unless the applicable test method for that appliance or device is preempted by federal law.

     §   -6  Manufacturer certification.  When adopting rules governing the certification of the products identified in section   -4(a), the department may adopt the language of and coordinate with the certification programs of other states and federal agencies with similar standards.

     §   -7  Enforcement.  The department may take any action necessary or appropriate to enforce this chapter and the rules adopted and orders issued hereunder."

     SECTION 3.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2018.

 

INTRODUCED BY:

_____________________________

 

 


 


 

Report Title:

DCCA; Consumer Protection; Appliance Efficiency Standards

 

Description:

Requires the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs to adopt state appliance efficiency standards to protect consumers.

 

 

 

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.