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)
Increases the Environmental Response, Energy, and Food Security Tax and the amount collected from the tax that is deposited into the Electric Vehicle Charging System Subaccount. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)
Excludes from the definition of "development", as it applies to special management areas, the installation, maintenance, repair, and replacement of an electric vehicle charging system as a minor structure. Includes the Public Utilities Commission in the development and implementation of plans to meet the long-term goals for zero-emissions transportation in the State. (SD1)
Requires the Public Utilities Commission to establish a streamlined grid-ready homes interconnection process. Authorizes the use of the Hawaii electricity reliability surcharge for cost recovery of certain expenses of the Hawaii Electricity Reliability Administrator associated with the grid-ready homes interconnection process. Requires a report to the PUC on the grid-ready homes interconnection process. Effective 7/1/2050. (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)
Requires the Hawaii State Energy Office to implement and administer a three-year phased Water-Energy Resilience Competitive Grant Program in the County of Maui. Requires reports to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. Repeals 6/30/2027. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)
SB 2241 allocates funds to the Hawaii State Energy Office to study the state's existing and future infrastructure needs for zero-emission vehicles (like electric cars). This analysis will help inform future planning but does not require immediate infrastructure changes or impose new requirements. The bill directs the Energy Office to complete this study, with any resulting plans taking effect on July 1, 2050. The measure is currently pending in committee after receiving a recommendation for passage with amendments.
Renames the Hawaii Renewable Hydrogen Program to the Hawaii Renewable Hydrogen and Long Duration Clean Energy Storage Program (Program). Amends the required activities of the Program, including conducting engineering and economic evaluations of potential locations for long duration clean energy storage and pumped storage hydroelectric projects. Renames the Hydrogen Investment Special Fund to the Hydrogen and Long Duration Clean Energy Storage Investment Capital Special Fund. Effective 5/13/2040. (SD1)
SB 202 requires electric utilities to pay customer-generators (like homeowners with solar panels) for excess electricity they send back to the grid, replacing previous credit systems. This directly affects residential and commercial customers who generate their own renewable energy. The bill mandates that utilities compensate these customers for surplus power at a specific rate, ensuring fair payment for contributions to the grid. It passed committee with amendments in February 2025 and aims to support distributed renewable energy adoption.
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.
