STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1036

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                  

 

RE:    H.B. No. 450

       H.D. 1

       S.D. 1

 

 

 

Honorable Donna Mercado Kim

President of the Senate

Twenty-Seventh State Legislature

Regular Session of 2013

State of Hawaii

 

Madam:

 

     Your Committees on Energy and Environment and Economic Development, Government Operations and Housing, to which was referred H.B. No. 450, H.D. 1, entitled:

 

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO HYDROGEN FUELING STATIONS,"

 

beg leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to require the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism to establish five-year hydrogen fueling station demonstration projects in qualifying counties, with a preference for renewable sources of hydrogen.

 

     Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from Hawaii Energy Policy Forum; Hawaii Automobile Dealers' Association; and one individual.  Your Committees received testimony in opposition to this measure from three individuals.  Your Committees received comments on this measure from the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism; Maui County Mayor's Office; and High Technology Development Corporation.

 

     Your Committees find that the mass production of hydrogen fuel cell automobiles is likely to begin as early as 2015.  The largest obstacle to the success of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles is presently the lack of fueling stations.  Your Committees find that the establishment of hydrogen fueling station demonstration projects promote the State's interest in developing renewable sources of energy and reducing the State's dependence on foreign oil.

 

     Your Committees have amended this measure by:

 

     (1)  Inserting an appropriation amount of $3,500,000; and

 

     (2)  Changing the effective date to July 1, 2050.

 

     As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Energy and Environment and Economic Development, Government Operations and Housing that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 450, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommend that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 450, 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 Committees on Energy and Environment and Economic Development, Government Operations and Housing,

 

____________________________

DONOVAN M. DELA CRUZ, Chair

 

____________________________

MIKE GABBARD, Chair