Appropriates funds to the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism for continued exploration and identification of geothermal resources and commercial viability for utility-scale geothermal production in counties with a population of less than 300,000, with certain limitations. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)
Amends the leadership, membership, powers, and duties of the Hawaii Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Commission. Establishes the powers and duties of the Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Commission Coordinator. Beginning after 12/31/2026, requires all department and agency plans and decisions to consider recommendations made by the Commission and Coordinator. Appropriates funds for positions and other expenses. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)
Establishes certain standards for the use of portable solar generation devices and provides certain exemptions from net energy metering and interconnection requirements for devices that meet these standards. Prohibits electric utility companies from requiring customers using portable solar generation devices to obtain approval from the utility, pay any fee or charge, or install additional controls or equipment. Limits the installation of portable solar generation devices to condominiums. Requires the Public Utilities Commission to establish and maintain an online system for registration of portable solar generation devices. Clarifies that any person who owns, controls, operates, or manages a portable solar generation device that is located on the person's property does not qualify as a regulated public utility. Requires annual reports to the Legislature. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)
Establishes green infrastructure objectives, policies, and priority guidelines for state facility systems, infrastructure, and transit projects in the Hawaii State Planning Act to improve the quality of life for residents and visitors. Adds a definition of "green infrastructure". Requires the Office of Planning and Sustainable Development to submit a report to the Legislature making recommendations for implementing green infrastructure objectives, policies, and priority guidelines.
Establishes a State goal to retrofit state facilities to be electric vehicle charger-ready. Beginning 7/1/2027, requires the design of all new state building construction that includes parking to ensure that at least ten per cent of parking stalls are electric vehicle charger-ready. Requires the Hawaii State Energy Office, in consultation with the Department of Accounting and General Services, Department of Transportation, and all other state agencies that own or manage state facilities that include parking, to conduct a survey and identify certain high-priority state facilities. Requires the Hawaii State Energy Office to assess the costs of, and install, retrofits and electric vehicle charging system at high priority state facilities. Requires a report to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/2525. (SD1)
Requires certain government entities in the State that issue building permits to establish a self-certification process for behind-the-meter, customer-sited solar distributed energy resource systems that deems permit applications approved and allows applicants to proceed to build solar distributed energy resource system immediately. Requires certain government entities in the State that issue building permits to develop guidance for determining specific conditions when a Federal Emergency Management Agency-mandated No-Rise Certification is not required for a solar distributed energy resource system located in a regulatory floodway. Effective 4/19/2042. (SD1)
SB 371 creates new criminal offenses for damaging critical infrastructure facilities, establishing distinct penalties for first-degree (more severe) and second-degree property damage. It directly affects individuals who intentionally damage facilities like power plants, water treatment centers, or communication hubs. The bill defines "critical infrastructure facilities" and sets specific criminal penalties for property damage to these sites. This law aims to strengthen legal protections for essential public infrastructure systems.
Establishes the Hawaii Home Energy Assistance Program within the Department of Human Services to assist eligible households in paying their energy bills. Requires the Public Utilities Commission Public Benefits Fee Administrator to provide certain information and assistance to recipients of the program. Establishes positions. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)
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)
Requires an attestation or declaration regarding project labor standards, including adherence to state-approved apprenticeship programs and prevailing wage requirements, for covered large-scale renewable energy generation projects. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)