STAND. COM. REP. NO.456

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2001

RE: H.B. No. 1272

H.D. 2

 

 

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2001

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Energy and Environmental Protection, to which was referred H.B. No. 1272, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO ALTERNATE FUELED VEHICLES,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this bill is to encourage consumer acceptance of any vehicle that exclusively uses an alternate fuel as defined in the National Energy Policy Act (EPACT) by:

(1) Adopting rules to register the vehicle and to create special license plates to designate the vehicle;

(2) Exempting the vehicle from high occupancy vehicle restrictions or other similar control measures; and

(3) Waiving vehicle registration and special license plate fees, and other fees, for five years, subject to the continuation of the incentive program by the Department of Transportation.

The Gas Company and GEM of Hawaii testified in support of the bill. The Department of Transportation and Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism testified in support of the intent of the bill. The Electric Vehicle Association of Hawaii testified in opposition of the bill.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Focusing the intent of the bill on increasing the acceptance and consumption of alternative fuels in the State; and

(2) Using terms and definitions in EPACT for purposes of consistency and clarity in limiting the incentives to dedicated alternative fueled vehicles.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Energy and Environmental Protection that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1272, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it be referred to the Committee on Finance in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1272, H.D. 2.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Energy and Environmental Protection,

____________________________

HERMINA M. MORITA, Chair