STAND. COM. REP. NO.1141

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2003

RE: H.B. No. 1405

H.D. 1

S.D. 1

 

 

Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2003

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Energy and Environment, to which was referred H.B. No. 1405, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO BIOFUEL,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to establish a preference in public contracts for the use of biofuels.

The Hawaii Sierra Student Coalition, Pacific Biodiesel, Inc., and Hawaii Renewable Energy Alliance submitted testimony supporting this measure.

Your Committee finds that this measure creates a viable market for biofuels by creating a preference of contracts for the purchase of fuel awarded to the lowest responsible and responsive bidders using or selling biofuel. Increased use of biofuels will help the State meet its goals of reducing its dependence on imported fossil energy.

Your Committee has amended this measure by replacing the term "pure biofuel" with "B20 or higher biofuel" for the purpose of clarity.

Your Committee notes that it considered testifiers' suggestions as to inserting a dollar amount for the biofuel preference, however, the amount has been left blank for further discussion by your Committee on Ways and Means.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Energy and Environment that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1405, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1405, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, and be referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Energy and Environment,

____________________________

J. KALANI ENGLISH, Chair