HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

1543

TWENTY-NINTH LEGISLATURE, 2017

H.D. 2

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

RELATING TO ENERGY TRAINING.

 

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

 


     SECTION 1.  The State's ambitious clean energy goals, along with advances in energy technology, have created incentives for the adoption of new technology, energy systems, and equipment, including solar panels and energy storage batteries.

     Installation of these modern energy systems has been an economic driver of the economy, reduced the State's dependence on imported oil, and helped to protect the environment, but the increased construction has placed additional burdens on some county and state employees.  Employees responsible for permitting, inspecting, licensing, and approving projects, including employees at county public works departments, employees at planning and permitting departments, and firefighters, must now remain constantly informed of new technology in the energy sector.  However, the legislature finds that many of these employees are not provided with the proper training and must either research the standards themselves or pay for their own training.  In addition, the lack of training can lead to unnecessary delays in the approval or implementation of a project.

     The purpose of this Act is to create a program to provide training to the state and county employees responsible for permitting, inspecting, licensing, and approving energy systems and related technology.

     SECTION 2.  Chapter 196, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to part I to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

     "§196-    Energy systems and technology training.  (a)  Energy systems and technology training courses shall be established as needed to educate relevant officers and employees of the State and counties on the various standards and requirements for renewable energy systems and related technology.  The courses, including any materials necessary to implement the courses, may be developed, designed, prepared, and conducted by the department of business, economic development, and tourism, or by a public or private entity contracted by the department.

     (b)  The energy systems and technology training courses shall include information on:

     (1)  New innovations in energy systems and technology, such as recent advancements in energy storage and the interaction of energy systems and technology with the electrical grid;

     (2)  The implementation of new and existing energy systems and technology in compliance with international, national, state, and county standards, including building and fire codes; and

     (3)  Any other relevant topic pertaining to the various standards and requirements for renewable energy systems and related technology.

     (c)  The department of business, economic development, and tourism may:

     (1)  Administer the energy systems and technology training courses;

     (2)  Provide notifications or advertisements of the courses to relevant state and county employees, including employees at county public works departments, employees at planning and permitting departments, firefighters, and others involved in the permitting, inspecting, licensing, and approving of construction projects; and

     (3)  Provide the courses at no cost to the participants.

     (d)  The department of business, economic development, and tourism may designate its staff to conduct the energy systems and technology training courses or contract with a public or private entity to conduct the courses."

     SECTION 3.  There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $         or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2017-2018 and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2018-2019 for energy systems and technology training as provided for in this Act.

     The sums appropriated shall be expended by the department of business, economic development, and tourism for the purposes of this Act.

     SECTION 4.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 5.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2050.


 


 

Report Title:

Energy Systems and Technology; Training; State Employees; County Employees; Appropriation

 

Description:

Requires the establishment of energy systems and technology training courses for state and county employees responsible for permitting, inspecting, licensing, and approving construction projects that contain renewable energy systems and related technology.  Appropriates funds.  (HB1543 HD2)

 

 

 

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