2024 Legislative Priorities

The 2024 legislative session ended Friday, May 3

CCL Hawaii supports local legislation that aligns with CCL's expanded policy agenda -

Carbon Pricing, Healthy Forests, Building Electrification and Efficiency, and Permitting Reform

HCR 181 HD1, SCR 106 SR 88 SD1 - URGING THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION, AND DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES TO TAKE ACTION TO REDUCE THE CARBON EMISSIONS ARISING FROM AIRPLANE TRANSPORTATION TO AND FROM THE STATE.

SCR 138 SR 119 - REQUESTING THE HAWAII CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION AND ADAPTION COMMISSION TO DEVELOP VEHICLE MILES TRAVELED REDUCTION STRATEGIES AND MAKE RELATED RECOMMENDATIONS.

SCR 105 SR 87 - REQUESTING THE HAWAIʻI CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION AND ADAPTATION COMMISSION TO CONDUCT AN EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM REGARDING THE ACTIVITIES OF INDIVIDUALS THAT CONTRIBUTE TO CLIMATE CHANGE.
SCR 101/SR83 - Urging a plant-based lifestyle that incorporates plant based nutrition and plant-based construction materials offers a multitude of beneficial impacts to human health, animal welfare, and the environment.

(We expect to see many of these bills introduced again in 2025)

Carbon Cashback - Amends the environmental response, energy, and food security tax to address carbon emissions. Incrementally increases the tax rate over time. Establishes a refundable tax credit to mitigate the effect of a carbon emissions tax on taxpayers. Requires reports to the Legislature. (SB2525, HB2178)

Solar Distributed Energy Resource Systems; Building Permits; Online Automated Permitting Platform; Self-Certification Process - (SB2539/HB2614)

Extends the State's energy-efficiency portfolio standards from 2030 to 2045 and updates the standards. Authorizes the Public Utilities Commission to adjust the 2045 and interim standards. HB1828 HD1 SD1, SB2122 SD1 HD1

RELATING TO TRANSPORTATION. Renames the Electric Bicycle and Electric Moped Rebate Program to the Electric Mobility Rebate Program. Expands eligibility and amends the maximum rebate amounts. (HD1) SB 3021, SD2, HD1(HSCR1294-24)

RELATING TO RENEWABLE ENERGY. - Requires the Department of Land and Natural Resources to work with utility companies and other renewable energy developers on leasing processes to expedite the development of renewable energy. (HD1) (SB3010 SD1 HD1 )

RELATING TO GEOTHERMAL ENERGY EXPLORATION Hawaiʻi State Energy Office; Geothermal Energy; Geothermal Resources Characterization Program; SB2518 SD2 HD1

Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure; Electric Vehicle-ready Parking Stalls; Affordable Housing; Rebates; HHFDCHB (HB2100 - HD1)

Requires the design of all new state building construction where parking is to be included to provide that at least twenty-five per cent of parking stalls be electric vehicle charger-ready. Requires the Hawaiʻi State Energy Office, in consultation with the Department of Accounting and General Services, to conduct a survey and identify certain high-priority state facilities. Establishes a goal of the State to retrofit state facilities to be electric vehicle charger-ready. Requires a report to the Legislature. Declares that the general fund expenditure ceiling is exceeded. Appropriates funds. (1829 HD1 SD1)

Requires the Department of Health to conduct a statewide needs assessment to determine what would be needed to transition to a more circular system with less waste generation, more reuse, and an extended producer responsibility program for packaging materials and paper products. (SD1)HB 1688 HD2 SD)
“Green Fee” variations - Establishes the Climate Health and Environmental Action Special Fund in the Department of Land and Natural Resources to minimize the impacts of, and respond to, climate crises. Imposes an additional $25 dollar tax on transient accommodations. Allocates a portion of transient accommodations tax revenue to the Climate Health and Environmental Action Special Fund. Narrows the transient accommodations tax exemption for accommodations furnished at no charge or on a complimentary or gratuitous basis to accommodations for the purpose of providing emergency housing to persons displaced as a result of a state of emergency or state disaster. (HD2) (HB2081 HD2 HB2406 HD2)
Imposes a per-day penalty for nonpayment of TAT. Amends the transient accommodation tax rate. Requires a $20 transient accommodation tax to be levied per night for each furnishing of transient accommodations in exchange for points, miles, or other amounts provided through a membership, loyalty, or rewards program. Appropriates funds to DLNR for protection, management, and restoration of the State's natural resources. (HD2) HB2081 - HD2 -