SB412 would require the Hawaii State Energy Office (HSEO) to evaluate the feasibility of installing distributed energy resource systems at each state department facility and to send a report of its findings to the relevant department. The bill defines distributed energy resource systems broadly to include on-site energy generation and storage, such as solar and battery storage, along with related infrastructure needed for facility operations. The assessment schedule begins January 1, 2026 for state facilities that have not been retrofitted under section 36-41 since 2010, and January 1, 2028 for all other state facilities.
After the HSEO reports are issued, state departments would be required to implement and install the recommended systems within five years. The bill also directs that first responder facilities receive priority for these energy efficiency measures. It further states that entities may not claim tax credits, deductions, or depreciation under title 14 for implementing the measures required by the section, while still allowing facilities to act sooner than the report timeline if they choose.
Impact
The bill would add a new section to chapter 196, Hawaii Revised Statutes, creating a statewide planning-and-implementation mandate for distributed energy resources at state facilities. It would impose new duties on HSEO to conduct feasibility assessments and on state departments to carry out installations within a fixed timeframe, affecting the management, budgeting, and capital planning of state-owned buildings. The measure would also shape how energy efficiency and resilience projects are prioritized, with first responder facilities placed first in line.
Sentiment
The available voting history suggests generally favorable support for the bill, with committee actions passing unanimously or near-unanimously and with amendments. The bill’s findings and purpose reflect strong legislative concern about climate change, wildfire risk, grid outages, and the need to keep critical state functions operating during emergencies. Overall, the tone around the measure is pro-renewable-energy and pro-resilience, with emphasis on cost savings, emissions reductions, and emergency preparedness.
Contention
The main policy tension appears to be the bill’s mandatory nature and the operational burden it places on state departments, which must install systems within five years of the report. Another point of potential concern is the restriction on claiming tax credits, deductions, or depreciation for the required measures, which may affect financing or accounting treatment. The prioritization of first responder facilities indicates an effort to address resilience concerns, but it also implies that other state facilities may wait longer for implementation. No committee transcript opposition is available, and the recorded votes show no dissent, so any contention appears limited or unresolved in the available record.
A resolution to direct the Clerk of the House of Representatives to only present to the Governor enrolled House bills finally passed by both houses of the One Hundred Third Legislature.
Relating to nonsubstantive additions to, revisions of, and corrections in enacted codes, to the nonsubstantive codification or disposition of various laws omitted from enacted codes, and to conforming codifications enacted by the 88th Legislature to other Acts of that legislature.