STAND. COM. REP. 945

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2003

RE: S.B. No. 492

H.D. 1

 

 

 

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2003

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Energy and Environmental Protection, to which was referred S.B. No. 492 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT AUTHORIZING THE ISSUANCE OF GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS FOR ENERGY EFFICIENCY IN STATE FACILITIES,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this bill is to provide low-cost financing to promote energy efficiency and renewable energy technologies in state facilities and schools by authorizing the issuance of $100,000,000 in general obligation bonds.

The Sierra Club, Hawaii Chapter, Hawaii Renewable Energy Alliance, Hawaiian Electric Company, Hawaii Electric Light Company, Maui Electric Company, and an individual testified in support of this measure.

The Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism supported the intent of this measure.

Your Committee finds that the installation of renewable energy and energy efficient technologies in State facilities could pay for all or a substantial portion of the costs associated with issuing general obligation bonds. Your Committee further finds that this measure will encourage and accelerate the implementation of energy efficient projects in state buildings.

Upon further consideration, your Committee has amended this bill by deleting its substance and inserting the substance of part II of H.B. No. 288, H.D. 2, which:

(1) Authorizes the issuance and appropriation of general obligation bonds to finance the acquisition, construction, rehabilitation, installation, and improvement of renewable energy and energy efficient technologies in state facilities;

(2) Provides that the State identify, evaluate, and prioritize qualifying projects that should be improved with renewable energy and energy efficient technologies; and

(3) Requires the Department of Accounting and General Services to conduct a comprehensive study on the practicality, economics, and other relevant aspects of state facilities that install renewable energy and energy efficient technologies.

Your Committee has further amended this bill by:

(1) Changing the appropriation amount of the general obligation bond to $25,000,000; and

(2) Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for purposes of style and clarity.

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 S.B. No. 492, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 492, H.D. 1, and be referred to the Committee on Finance.

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

 

____________________________

HERMINA M. MORITA, Chair