SB 700 Hawaii Senate · 2026 Regular Session

RELATING TO RENEWABLE ENERGY.

Summary

Requires the Hawaii State Energy Office, in collaboration with state departments, to assess the potential and feasibility of developing resilience hubs that can provide emergency services and be open to the general public during times of emergency. Requires a report to the Legislature. Effective 1/1/2491. (SD1)

Issues: ✓ Energy

Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2025

Committee Review

Feb 2025

Senate Passage

Feb 2025

House Passage

Governor

Introduced Jan 17, 2025 Last action Dec 8, 2025

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What changed between versions

SB700 → SB700_SD1 · 6 edits

MODERATE

The bill was completely rewritten to shift focus from requiring state agencies to install solar and battery systems to requiring the Hawaii State Energy Office to study the feasibility of creating public resilience hubs. The original mandate for installing distributed energy resources and specific deadlines for state facilities were removed, while the new version adds a requirement to submit a feasibility report by early 2026.

Scope change

The bill's scope changed from a direct mandate for state facilities to install renewable energy systems to a study requiring the creation of public resilience hubs that provide emergency services.

REQUIREMENT

Removed the requirement for the Department of Accounting and General Services to assess and install distributed energy resource systems at state facilities.

Removed the specific priority assignment for first responder facilities regarding cost-effective energy efficiency measures.

Added a requirement for the Hawaii State Energy Office to collaborate on assessing the feasibility of developing public resilience hubs.

REMOVED

Removed the mandate requiring state facilities to implement installed systems within five years of the report date.

TIMELINE

Added a deadline for the Hawaii State Energy Office to submit a feasibility report to the legislature no later than twenty days before the start of the 2026 regular session.

DEFINITION

Redefined the purpose of the bill to focus on resilience hubs providing emergency services like shelter, food, water, and medical care rather than just energy generation.

Floor votes

How they voted

This bill passed the Senate by voice vote (no roll call recorded).

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Feb 13, 2025

Upper · Passed

Report adopted; Passed Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referred to WAM.

upper

Feb 13, 2025

Committee

Reported from GVO/EIG (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 423) with recommendation of passage on Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referral to WAM.

upper

Feb 4, 2025

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on EIG recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in EIG were as follows: 5 Aye(s): Senator(s) Wakai, Chang, DeCoite, Richards, Fevella; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 0 Excused: none.

upper

Feb 4, 2025

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on GVO recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in GVO were as follows: 4 Aye(s): Senator(s) McKelvey, Moriwaki, San Buenaventura, Fevella; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 1 Excused: Senator(s) Gabbard.

upper

Jan 27, 2025

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on GVO/EIG has scheduled a public hearing on 01-30-25 3:00PM; Conference Room 225 & Videoconference.

upper

Jan 23, 2025

Committee

Referred to GVO/EIG, WAM.

upper

Jan 17, 2025

Introduced

Introduced.

upper

3 primary · 0 co-sponsors