HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

1334

THIRTY-FIRST LEGISLATURE, 2021

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

Relating to Climate change mitigation.

 

 

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

 


     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that vehicle emissions are a direct contributor to global warming.  Climate change caused by greenhouse gas emissions from burning fossil fuels poses a serious threat to the economic well-being, public health, natural resources, and environment of Hawaii.  The potential adverse impacts of climate change include the exacerbation of air-quality problems, a reduction in the quality and supply of water, a rise in sea levels resulting in the displacement of coastal businesses and residences, damage to marine ecosystems and the natural environment, and an increase in the incidences of infectious diseases, asthma, and other human health-related problems.

     The legislature further finds that rental motor vehicles represent the largest passenger vehicle fleets in Hawaii and are responsible for a significant amount of carbon emissions.  Imposing an emissions surcharge on these vehicles will provide steady funding for the climate change mitigation and adaptation commission to establish climate change mitigation and adaptation strategies and goals to help guide planning and implementation statewide in furtherance of the Hawaii 2050 sustainability plan.

     The purpose of this Act is to address climate change by establishing a rental motor vehicle emissions surcharge to support the activities of the climate change mitigation and adaptation commission.

     SECTION 2.  Chapter 225P, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

     "§225P-     Climate change mitigation and adaptation commission special fund.  (a)  There is established in the state treasury a climate change mitigation and adaptation commission special fund, into which shall be deposited all moneys received from any rates, fees, fines, and administrative penalties pursuant to section 251-   .

     (b)  Moneys in the climate change mitigation and adaptation commission special fund shall be used by the commission to support the commission's activities pursuant to this chapter."

     SECTION 3.  Chapter 251, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

     "§251-     Rental motor vehicle emissions surcharge.  (a)  There is levied and shall be assessed and collected each month a rental motor vehicle emissions surcharge of $           for every twenty-four hours, or any portion thereof, that a rental motor vehicle is rented or leased to a lessee; provided that the rental motor vehicle emissions surcharge shall not be levied on:

     (1)  Any rental motor vehicle during the first twenty‑four hours that the rental motor vehicle is rented or leased to a lessee;

     (2)  Any electric rental motor vehicle; or

     (3)  Any rental motor vehicle that is rented to a lessee to replace a motor vehicle of the lessee that is being repaired; provided that a record of the repair order for the motor vehicle is retained either by the lessor for two years for verification purposes or by a motor vehicle repair dealer for two years as provided in section 437B-16.

     (b)  The rental motor vehicle emissions surcharge shall be levied upon the lessor.

     (c)  Notwithstanding section 251-5 or any other law to the contrary, all moneys received from rates, fees, fines, and administrative penalties of the rental motor vehicle emissions surcharge shall be deposited into the climate change mitigation and adaptation commission special fund established pursuant to section 225P-   ."

     SECTION 4.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 5.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2021.

 

INTRODUCED BY:

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Report Title:

Climate Change; Rental Motor Vehicles; Rental Motor Vehicle Emissions Surcharge; Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Commission; Special Fund

 

Description:

Establishes a rental motor vehicle emissions surcharge and a climate change mitigation and adaptation commission special fund to support the activities of the climate change mitigation and adaptation commission.

 

 

 

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.