HB 2486 Hawaii House · 2026 Regular Session

RELATING TO SOLAR ENERGY.

Summary

Defines and provides requirements for the use of a portable solar generation device. Provides that electric utility companies are not liable for any damage or injury caused by a portable solar generation device. Requires each portable solar generation device to be registered with the Public Utilities Commission. Requires the Public Utilities Commission to establish and maintain an online system for registration of portable solar generation devices, at no cost to the customer. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Issues: ✓ Energy

Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2026

Committee Review

Floor Vote

Governor

Introduced Jan 28, 2026 Last action Feb 24, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

HB2486 → HB2486_HD1 · 4 edits

MODERATE

HB 2486 was amended to modernize its metadata, update the effective date to July 1, 3000, and refine the regulatory requirements for portable solar devices. The changes clarify that while registration remains free, the Public Utilities Commission can now delegate this responsibility to third parties. Additionally, the bill now explicitly requires devices to meet specific safety certification standards (UL 3700) and spells out the maximum power output in words to prevent ambiguity.

Scope change

The bill's scope regarding device registration was expanded by allowing the Public Utilities Commission to delegate the administration of the registration system to other persons or organizations.

TIMELINE

The effective date of the Act was changed from 'upon approval' to 'July 1, 3000', likely a placeholder or clerical correction in the amendment.

REQUIREMENT

The requirement for device certification was updated to explicitly mandate compliance with Underwriters Laboratories standard UL 3700 or an equivalent recognized by the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration.

The maximum power output limit was clarified from '1,200 watts' to 'one thousand two hundred watts' to ensure precise legal interpretation.

ENFORCEMENT

The regulation for registering devices was modified to allow the Public Utilities Commission to delegate the responsibility of maintaining the online registration system to any person or organization.

Floor votes

How they voted

No floor votes recorded yet.

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Feb 18, 2026

Committee

Reported from EEP (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 389-26) as amended in HD 1, recommending passage on Second Reading and referral to CPC.

lower

Feb 12, 2026

Lower · Passed

The committee on EEP recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes were as follows: 5 Ayes: Representative(s) Lowen, Perruso, Chun, Kusch, Matsumoto; Ayes with reservations: none; Noes: none; and 2 Excused: Representative(s) Kahaloa, Quinlan.

lower

Feb 2, 2026

Committee

Referred to EEP, CPC, referral sheet 6

lower

Jan 28, 2026

Introduced

Introduced and Pass First Reading.

lower

28 primary · 0 co-sponsors